5 Books About Respect for Kindergarten
There is one important lesson every kindergartener needs to learn within the first few days. They also need to be reminded of this throughout the year. That lesson is respect. Whether it’s respecting each other’s personal space, taking care of classroom materials, or using kind words, teaching respect lays the foundation for a positive classroom environment. And what better way to teach respect than through read-alouds? Reading aloud to our students is a powerful tool for character development. It’s especially effective in those important first days of school when we’re setting the tone for the year. So, let’s chat about some of the best books about respect for kindergarten. I promise these can help us teachers build a strong classroom community.
Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is more than just ensuring students are nice to each other—it’s an essential part of teaching in today’s world. SEL focuses on helping students develop important skills like empathy, self-awareness, and conflict resolution. Teaching respect fits right into this. It encourages students to consider others’ feelings and make good choices in various situations. Through read-alouds, we can introduce SEL concepts in a way that resonates with young kids. Using stories that feature engaging characters and relatable scenarios is helpful. Plus, books that focus on respect provide young readers with examples of good manners, kind words, and positive behaviors, helping to reinforce these important lessons. This way, throughout the school year, we can reinforce this concept.
Why Read-Alouds Are Important in the First Days
The first days of school (especially kindergarten) are a big deal for young children, and it’s our job to make those days count. Starting the year with well-chosen back-to-school read-alouds is one of the best ways to introduce important character traits like respect. These stories give the little kiddos relatable situations and engaging characters. Plus it helps them understand and internalize the concept of respect in a fun and accessible way. Plus, read-alouds are a great way to create a shared experience in the classroom, which is essential for building a strong sense of community.
Teaching Classroom Community and Culture Through Read-Alouds
Creating a strong classroom community is one of the best ways to ensure a successful school year. Read-alouds are a great addition to this effort. Sharing stories that highlight the importance of respect. It also allows our students to understand the role they play in making our classroom a better place. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cute story about a little girl learning to take care of things. Or a sweet story about a good friend showing courtesy. These books are sort of like anchor charts for teaching children the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Through these shared reading experiences, we’re not just teaching respect—we’re modeling it, too. You’re showing your students how to be good neighbors in our school community.
5 Books About Respect for Kindergarten
Now that we’ve covered why and how to teach respect let’s dive into a list of books that are perfect for kindergarten. These high-quality books are not only engaging but also packed with valuable lessons about respect.
In Our Classroom by Diana Schuda
This beautiful book is a great choice for the first days of school. It emphasizes the idea that our classroom is where everyone, no matter what makes them different, is respected and valued. It’s a great tool for setting the tone of respect in your classroom from day one.
The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect by Jan Berenstain & Mike Berenstain
This classic picture book is perfect for teaching young children about the importance of showing respect to everyone, from family members to friends. The Berenstain Bears are beloved by young readers, and their stories always carry important lessons in a relatable way.
What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
A great book for teaching children about the consequences of their actions, “What If Everybody Did That?” encourages kids to think about how their behavior affects others. It’s a fantastic way to discuss good choices and respect for others’ feelings. The best part is this book is a series! Other books in the series are What If Everybody Said That? and What If Everybody Thought That? Both books can also be easily added to this list of respect books.
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones
Lacey Walker loves to talk, but when she loses her voice, she learns the value of listening and respecting others’ turn to speak. This cute story is a great addition to your read-aloud rotation, especially when discussing the importance of being a good friend.
The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
“Mean Jean” is the recess queen, but when a new girl comes to school, things change. This story is all about respecting others and the power of kindness. It’s an excellent book for teaching young kids about conflict resolution and creating a respectful school community.
Teaching respect is one of the most important lessons we can share with our students, and using read-alouds to do so is one of the best ways to ensure the message sticks. These books are just a few examples of the many high-quality books available that focus on respect, good manners, and character education. By incorporating these stories into your classroom, you’re helping to create a positive environment where young minds can grow and thrive. So, grab a book, gather your students, and start building that strong, respectful classroom community today!
