Our October Value is “RESPECT AND DEMOCRACY”

The basis of having a happy, peaceful society, which is the dream of each of us, lies in respecting our values. Order, peace and happiness will not be lacking in societies where people respect each other and know their responsibilities. As citizens of our country, which has a multicultural structure, we have the chance to encounter and learn about differences from a young age. In this learning process, educational institutions are as effective as the family in gaining respect and responsibility behavior. We aim to improve the respect and responsibility awareness of our students entrusted to Era Colleges with the events we hold throughout October and to raise awareness on this issue. For this reason, we have determined our value for October as RESPECT AND DEMOCRACY.  Respect is the behavior that should be shown towards all kinds of characteristics and values ​​that individuals have. Societies where children who have learned the value of respect grow up have a basis of peace, success and tolerance. Respect should be shown to nature, animals and ourselves, as well as to the individuals around us. A person who does not respect himself will not be able to respect anything else. Everyone and everything is worthy of respect.

The first way to be a respectful individual is through self-respect. Self-esteem development occurs more healthily in children who feel valuable. Feeling valued and being raised with respect will bring self-esteem, which in turn will bring about respect for the environment. Children must first know that they are respected. Listening to children, paying attention to them, accepting their existence, fulfilling their wishes, understanding and accepting their feelings are very important in reaching this awareness. The value of respect does not come automatically, it is a value that is acquired later and learned as it is repeated. It is very important for parents to guide their children here.

Being democratic and responsible, just like respect, is learned over time, develops and is adopted as it is repeated. There is no age that can be said to be the most suitable for gaining responsibility. You can help your child acquire this value by giving him tasks appropriate to his age, gender and developmental level, starting from early childhood. Parental attitudes are extremely important when developing a sense of responsibility. It is observed that respect and responsibility awareness do not develop in family environments that are overly protective, authoritarian, or where the child is left alone. In democratic family environments where parents are leaders and all members of the household share responsibility, children's awareness of responsibility develops. Another important environment where this awareness develops is school. At Era, we hold presidential elections in order to better teach our students the values ​​of respect and democracy in October. We aim for a responsible society by raising democratic voting individuals of the future.  What Can You Do to Help Your Children Become Respectful and Responsible Individuals?

• First of all, you should not forget that children always observe their parents. The child who sees that family members always respect people and fulfill their responsibilities will take these behaviors as an example.  
• You should listen to your child until the end without interrupting him. Children who are listened to have higher self-esteem and self-confidence. This supports awareness of responsibility.  
• You must remember that he is also an individual; You can enter his room by knocking on his door and ask his opinion when making decisions.
• You can remind your child that respect should be shown not only to people but also to all beings around him.
• You can encourage your child to help disabled people, people in need, and stray animals. 
• When he displays disrespectful attitudes, you can explain in the right language why what he did is wrong in order to raise awareness and make him face the consequences. 
• Appreciating him/her in his/her correct decisions and behaviors and making him/her feel that you support him/her in his/her mistakes will help him/her to compensate for his/her mistakes and reinforce his/her positive behavior.
• Social media and the games they play may be triggering disrespectful behavior. You should review these habits
• You can discuss with your child what kind of behavior is appropriate in social environments and public transportation. You can give examples of behaviors such as giving space and not interrupting.
• When criticizing your child's behavior, you should not target his personality and emotions, but focus only on the behavior. You should not criticize him or compare him with anyone, especially in front of others. 
• Just follow the tasks by giving your child responsibilities that are suitable for his age and skills, and you can wait patiently and appreciate him while he fulfills his responsibilities, without finalizing them. We should not forget that he is a child, you can approach him with a supportive attitude instead of being too perfectionist.
• Instead of giving complex responsibilities, giving instructions in the simplest steps will trigger them to start working and think they can do it.
• You can direct him to solve his problems himself and give feedback that you notice when he overcomes them. 

Hoping to raise respectful, democratic and responsible individuals together.