If you have a discussion with older adults about basic manners kids have today, they’ll often say that some kids are disrespectful and impolite. Parents of such children will often put the blame on educators and educators will often put the blame on parents. But who is right?
A school in Portugal placed posters on the school wall and the controversial message ignited a discussion with parents and also on social media. Here is what it read:
Dear parents:
We would like to remind you that magic words such as hello, please, you’re welcome, I’m sorry, and thank you, all begin to be learned at home.
It’s also at home that children learn to be honest, to be on time, diligent, show friends their sympathy, as well as show utmost respect for their elders and all teachers.
Home is where they learn to be clean, not talk with their mouths full, and how/where to properly dispose of garbage.
Home is also where they learn to be organized, to take good care of their belongings, and that it’s not OK to touch others.
Here at school, on the other hand, we teach language, math, history, geography, physics, sciences, and physical education. We only reinforce the education that children receive at home from their parents.
A Portuguese school placed posters in their school asking parents to teach their kids manners.
With single parents working two or more jobs to make ends meet or even both parents working outside the home, it can be challenging to spend a good amount of quality time teaching their children. When it comes to children learning to have compassion for others, having good manners, and other skills you can’t learn in a textbook…it all starts at home.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments and please share this letter to parents from a school in Portugal with your friends and family.
