Children are more likely to cooperate when they trust the adults in their lives. When children trust adults, they feel safe and secure and are more likely to be willing to listen and follow instructions. There are many ways to build trust with children. Some of the most important include:
- Being consistent. Children need to know what is expected of them and that the rules will be enforced fairly. When adults are consistent, children learn that they can count on them.
- Being respectful. Children deserve to be treated with the same respect that adults would want to be treated with. When adults are respectful of children, they show that they value them as people.
- Being responsive. Children need to know that their adults will listen to them and respond to their needs. When adults are responsive, children learn that they can come to them for help and support.
- Being honest. Children need to be able to trust that adults are being honest with them. When adults are honest, children learn that they can believe what they say.
By building trust with children, adults can create a positive and cooperative relationship that will benefit everyone involved.