DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET WHAT IS GOOD CHARACTER? Adults can also encourage children’s development of integrity by supporting them in following through with decisions. Follow-​through sometimes takes great courage, especially when it involves doing something that is new or challenging, such as climbing the big slide for the first time or experimenting with dipping their face into water in the baby pool. Children gain courage to follow through on decisions by having support and encouragement from loving caregivers. At times this kind of support might involve shadowing a young child in order to physically help him follow through on a decision. At other times it may be as simple as stay- ing nearby, ready to help if the situation should require it. Respect Respect is an attitude of honoring parents, others, nature, beliefs, property, and self, and it is key to well-​being and healthy relationships. When people treat others with respect, they work to see others’ points of view and care for their feelings, and they exhibit courtesy and polite manners in their interactions. Although we often think of respect as something demonstrated between peers or shown by young people toward elders, adults can and should show respect to young chil- dren, thereby demonstrating it and helping them embrace it for themselves. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can show respect for infants by caring for them consistently, with patience and gentleness. Toddlers and two-​year-​olds can be shown respect by acknowledging each child’s presence and individuality, treating each as a highly valued individual, listening attentively to every child’s communications, and responding sensitively to their needs and feelings. Young children notice and value when they are treated with respect. They yearn to be noticed positively, acknowledged for their skills and abilities, and allowed to pro- ceed independently. Listening well is an obvious way of demonstrating respect for others and is especially powerful when adults listen well and attentively to young children. Starting from a very young age, children notice when adults give them their full attention or conversely give only partial or distracted attention. This does not mean that we should grant children our undivided attention every single time they ask for it. Children also benefit greatly from learning to wait patiently for “their turn” to receive attention while adults engage in business or conversation. Such experiences of appropriate waiting provide important lessons in respect. We can demonstrate and teach children respect for others through practicing good manners, such as covering our mouths when we cough or saying “Excuse me” when we bump into someone. It’s our job as caregivers to remind children COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 11