Teaching And Nurturing Respect In The Classroom
Teaching and nurturing respect in the classroom is vital for creating a happy, calm and healthy learning environment. Respect underpins how children interact with one another, how they respond to adults, and how they begin to understand themselves as part of a wider community.
One of the most powerful ways to teach respect is through stories. Children’s books open the door to rich conversations, real-life connections and meaningful learning experiences that go far beyond a single lesson.
Below is a curated collection of children’s books, songs and writing prompts that teachers can use to explicitly teach and nurture respect in the classroom.
Why Teach Respect Explicitly?
Respect doesn’t always come naturally to young children. It needs to be modelled, discussed, practised and revisited regularly. Through stories and shared discussions, children can explore:
What respect looks like, sounds like and feels like
How their choices impact others
How to listen, share, wait and respond respectfully
How to manage big feelings while still treating others kindly
These lessons are especially powerful at the start of the school year, when classroom expectations and relationships are being established, but they are just as valuable to revisit throughout the year.
Children’s Books That Teach Respect
Respecting Others & Sharing
It’s Mine! – Leo Lionni
Should I Share My Ice Cream? – Mo Willems
Llama Llama Time to Share – Anna Dewdney
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates – Ryan T. Higgins
These books open up conversations about fairness, turn-taking, personal space and considering others.
Listening, Emotions & Self-Regulation
The Rabbit Listened – Cori Doerrfeld
My Mouth Is a Volcano! – Julia Cook
The Colour Monster – Anna Llenas
Perfect for exploring respectful listening, emotional awareness and managing impulses in a classroom setting.
Choices, Behaviour & Responsibility
The Choices I Make – Michael Gordon
What If Everybody Did That? – Ellen Javernick
The Bad Seed – Jory John
Know and Follow Rules – Cheri J. Meiners
These stories help children understand that respect is closely linked to the choices they make each day.
Kindness, Empathy & Understanding Others
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? – Carol McCloud
Kindness Is My Superpower – Alicia Ortego
Seeds and Trees – Brandon Walden
I Am Human – Susan Verde
Giant: A Panda of the Enchanted Forest
The Warrior’s Code – Kate Hobbs
These texts support deeper discussions around empathy, kindness, inclusion and respecting differences.
Songs to Reinforce Respect
Music is a wonderful way to reinforce respectful behaviours in a fun and memorable way. These songs work well during circle time, transitions or as part of a social-emotional learning lesson:
“We Are Respectful” – Jack Hartmann
“Respect” – Patty Shukla
“Kindness Song” – The Learning Station
“Respect Song for Kids” – Mr. Al (Mr. Al’s Music)
“It’s Okay to Be Different” – Sesame Street
Many of these songs naturally lead into discussion, role play and reflection.
Classroom Discussion & Writing Prompts
Use these prompts after reading a story or listening to a song:
What is one way you show respect to others at school?
What does respect look like, sound like and feel like in our classroom?
How can we show respect when we feel frustrated or upset?
Why is listening an important part of being respectful?
These prompts can be used for whole-class discussions, journals, drawing responses or shared writing.
Teaching respect is not a one-off lesson — it’s an ongoing conversation. By returning to these books, songs and discussions throughout the year, we give children repeated opportunities to practise respectful behaviours and build strong social foundations.
Do you have a favourite children’s book or song that teaches respect? We’d love you to join the conversation and share your recommendations in the comments below.
