What is respect?  In short, the quick definition is to have due regard- due regard for people, things and the way they are.  It does not  mean you have to agree with them, however it is a word that connotes harmonious living with everything despite the fact that you may not agree with them or what they do.  Every living thing requires some form of respect no matter who they are what it is.  It has gained the right to exist by the mere fact that it is here.  Respect is something woven into the fabric of our existence. It helps to protect and keeps  the unwanted at arms length unless there is a conscious decision to draw them in.(imagine disrespecting a lion for example!)

Children can learn a lot about respect when they are out in nature they see how two different species reside side by side, they also see how one’s survival could be based on the survival of the other- how one cannot do without the other, despite the fact that they are different.  If they are allowed to probe deeper they will  see that each living thing in nature is just a conduit for the next living thing, and they will feel the unseen vibrations and energies at play- everything working together for  the greater good .  Finally they will start to respect the little and the big  and the intricate details which allows for this to happen; This initial respect may then then blossom into love.

Nature provides a child with that step by step guide to develop the truth about respect , why respect, what it is, and then apply it to his/her own daily life in the knowledge that everything/everyone has a purpose and needs to be given its due regard. It gradually allows them to know that respect could be a precondition for the other feelings- it could move on to esteem and admiration and then finally awe.  By the time an individual reaches to the true definition of awe in nature,he/she will intrinsically know that true respect is due to all but awe is only due to one.

So make a habit of getting your children out into nature.  Not just for the physical and mental gains  (which are very important) but for them to become well rounded individuals with proper grounding in positive character traits, and the ability to discover the true meanings of what we call character traits or virtues.

By just appreciating nature sounds with children, you are already helping to cultivate respect and other virtues in them

Activity– Listen to sounds of the wind howling or rain falling or thunder rumbling with your baby. Speak soothingly to your baby and explain that this is the work of the mighty elementals and nothing to be afraid of. Take your baby and look out of the window on a windy night or day and point out the wonders of nature to him/her

(respect, courage, confidence) 

Excerpt from- new book- Parenting with Nature-Activities to help develop positive character traits in children –  www.magnifyinghorizons.com