How to teach children to say hello

greet children

Young children do not understand social norms and skills. Normally they do not feel the need to greet others, without or that it is a social norm of courtesy and respect that we adults have to live better in society. It makes no sense to them and many parents worry that their children learn to greet others. Today we talk about how to teach children to say hello.

Greet is a courteous and polite way towards other people, known or unknown. We can help our children to know how to integrate these social norms as long as they are not forced to do so. This would give the wrong signal and generate a series of negative emotions in the child that we do not want.

Many parents, for fear that their children will be seen as rude or for wanting to please the other person, force their children to show affection that does not come out of them. Especially when they say "give a kiss to Aunt Angustias who has not seen you for a long time." Surely the child does not want to give such a close show of affection to that aunt that he does not even remember or is simply embarrassed. Would you give a hug to a stranger? Well, your son is not showing affection left and right. In addition, this creates an uncomfortable situation for everyone: the parents who see that they have to be asking, the child who is forced and the other person who is in the middle. It is a situation that we can avoid with these tips.

Tips for Teaching Children to Say Hello

What our children learn as children will serve them throughout their lives. Basic social norms will allow you to relate better with others and create a climate of cordiality. Let's see how we can get our children to greet others in a natural and progressive way. With these tips we will achieve it in the best way:

  • Explain your importance. We can talk to them and explain why it is done and what your objective is. Without pressing. In this way they will be able to internalize their importance by treating others with respect and education, generating trust with others.
  • Do not force him to give kisses. For a child, giving a kiss is something very intimate that he only gives to the closest people. It is normal that you do not want to kiss someone who sees little or a great-aunt who always demands a kiss. Children should not be forcedThey have to be the ones who freely decide if they want to kiss or not. It could affect your emotional health. What if we can teach them is to wave with the hand and with the words, since it is more than enough to say hello.

teach children greet

  • Preach by example. The best way to teach children is doing what we would like them to do. Being polite and sociable with others teaches them how to behave socially. Say "Hello" y "goodbye": "Good Morning" o "good afternoon" depending on the context, it is a sign of cordiality towards others.
  • Don't correct him in public. If you have to correct it, always do it in private, never in public as it can feel humiliated.
  • Respect their decisions. If the child does not want to greet a specific person or in a particular situation, respect their emotions and decisions. We must also teach children that their emotions and decisions are valid and must be respected.
  • Don't be mad if it doesn't. He has to see saying hello as a good gesture, not an obligation that if he does not do he will be punished or reprimanded. If he does not do it, nothing happens, you continue with your example and your explanations and each time he will integrate it more.

Why remember ... greeting is a social skill that makes life easier for us in community, but that children do not understand.


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