One of the reasons that children often do not stand up for themselves is simply because they are not clear about what they have the right to expect of other people. It pays to help school children write a personal bill of rights so that you can achieve some sense of clarity on this subject.
Children need to decide what they are entitled to, what standards to maintain, and where the line lies between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Respect
Respect is a key component of assertiveness, but truly assertive behavior isn't just about encouraging respectful behavior from others; it's also about showing respect in your dealings with them.
One of the benefits of taking the time to think of a personal bill of rights is that it also gives children clear guidelines on how they can behave in a way that respects other people's rights.
When your child has come up with five to ten principles that they are happy with, take the time to write them down carefully. Maybe you can even frame the document and put it somewhere you will see it every day. Encourage your child to tackle this task in his own way, but if the bill should work As a useful benchmark for assertive behavior, you should probably include some of the following principles. I have the right:
- To say what i think
- To express my feelings and wishes
- Be treated with respect
- Live my life without being bullied or manipulated
- Being my self
- To defend my rights
- Respect the rights of others
- To use my talents and abilities
- To choose how I respond to other people
Keep in mind that the process of becoming more assertive and finding the sweet spot between confidence and aggression is something that children can take time to perfect. Sometimes the situations they encounter on the playground can challenge even the most assertive individual. Be available for support and advice whenever needed.