Respect

Practice these scenarios that help kids learn to respect another’s boundaries by obeying requests to stop tickling and hugging, and to give back a toy.

Goal: Practice respect.

To play the boundary game, draw a circle around a child with a piece of chalk (or use a hula-hoop). Give examples of respecting other’s boundaries. Here are some ideas:

Please stop tickling!

One child steps inside another child’s circle and begins tickling him/her. The child already inside the circle must say, “Please stop tickling me.” Then the child must leave the circle, demonstrating that they are respecting the other’s boundaries.

No hugs, please

Have one child ask another child if they can give him/her a hug. If the second child says “Sure,” then the first child may step inside the second child’s circle. However, if they say “I’d rather not,” then child number one must respect child number two’s boundaries.

May I have that back, please?

Have one child play with a toy that belongs to another child. Then have the owner ask if they may have their toy back please. The child must step inside the owner’s circle to give back the toy and then leave the circle once again to show they are respecting the other’s wishes.

Afterward, you can use the questions for discussion to debrief. Also discuss ways in which people can respectfully communicate their boundaries to others.

Questions for discussion
  • How does it make you feel when someone is disrespectful to you?
  • Do you like to be around people who are disrespectful?
Relevant Scripture

Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

1 Peter 2:17 “Show proper respect to everyone…”