The 11 rules of coexistence for boys and girls

We propose a simple and effective plan to put order at home or at school.

Education, in a way, is a value that is transmitted throughout life.. It is a tool that allows us to build our own personality, and that allows us to lay the foundations for living together in society.

Why is it important to educate in coexistence? What are the rules of coexistence? What is their purpose? In this article we will answer these questions, and in addition, we will propose 11 rules of coexistence for boys and girls.

Rules of coexistence?

What are the rules of coexistence and what are they for? To answer these questions, first we are going to make a small reflection.

We will probably spend our whole life -or a great part of it- living in society, unless we go to live in the mountains as a spiritual respite, or as a personal and respectable alternative life.

The fact of living in society implies interacting continuously with other people, similar to us or tremendously different to our way of being, thinking, dressing, etc. That is why it is essential to establish a minimum of rules of coexistence to be able to relate in an orderly, respectful and healthy way.

These rules reflect "rules of life" or ways of behaving towards others, and will help us to respect others and to act so that they respect us. Thus, it is important that we transmit these rules to the little ones, so that they grow up in a healthy way, interacting with others in an appropriate manner and always respecting their individual freedom (of choice, thought, expression, etc.).

In this article we propose 11 basic rules of coexistence for boys and girlswhich will teach the little ones how they should act from a social point of view when they find themselves in situations that involve contact with other people. These rules, if acquired from an early age, will lay the foundation for an education in adult coexistence.

11 rules of coexistence for boys and girls

Now that we have seen what the rules of coexistence are, what they are for and why they are so important, let's get to know the 11 rules of coexistence for children, we are going to know the 11 rules of coexistence for boys and girls below.

1. Greeting when you arrive at a place

The first of the rules of coexistence for children that we consider important is the following the fact of greeting each time you arrive at a place.. Greeting implies being polite and is part of the basic rules of coexistence in society. It is not necessary to always greet with two kisses (as is the tradition in Spain), but simply say "Hello" when you arrive (or "good morning", "good afternoon", etc.).

2. Saying goodbye when leaving

In the same way that it is important to say hello, it is also important to say goodbye when leaving, it is also important to say goodbye when leaving. It is also a norm and an action that denotes education and good manners. Besides, we all like people to say goodbye to us when they leave a place, a meeting, an encounter, etc.

3. Saying thank you

Another of the rules of coexistence for boys and girls is to to say thank you when they do us a favor or when they have a generous act with us, even if it is just opening the door.even if it is just opening the door. Being grateful is a sign of respect and consideration for others, intrinsic values in good coexistence.

4. Return the things that are lent to us

The next rule of coexistence is to return the things that have been lent to us.. In the same way that we like to be lent things, the other person likes to have them returned. This small action will make that in the future, the others will have enough confidence in us to continue leaving us the things.

5. Share

Sharing involves being generous with others and not thinking only of oneself.. Thus, we can consider this action another of the important rules of coexistence for children to transmit to the youngest.

Children have to understand that, just as they would like others to share with them on occasion, they should reciprocate in the same way. This, of course, does not mean that we should make them understand that they should share everything.

6. Ask permission

Another important rule for the little ones, which is good for them to understand from the time they start to have reason to understand, is the fact of asking permission when we want to use something that is not ours, for example, when we want to use something that is not ours..

We will also ask permission (and so we will transmit it to the children) when we want to enter a place that is not "ours", when we want to go to the bathroom of a friend's or relative's house, etc.

7. Listen to

It seems very logical, but we also think it is important to consider this action as another of the rules of coexistence for boys and girls. the fact of listening when they speak to us. We all like to be listened to when we speak, so it is another sign of respect and education to also listen to others when they speak to us.

Listening implies paying attention and showing interest in what is being explained to us. Sometimes what they tell us will not be interesting to us (we should not cheat either), but we should show respect and consideration.

8. Keep envy away

It is natural and frequent to feel envy or jealousy for the possessions (or for non-material things) of others, especially when we are small and "we don't have that".especially when we are small and "we don't have that". However, it is good to transmit to the little ones that we do not all have to have the same and that comparing ourselves with others or envying them does not imply anything good, on the contrary.

It is important to transmit the idea of being happy with what we have, without stopping fighting for those things we want to achieve.

9. Respond when we are spoken to

Another of the rules of coexistence for boys and girls, which also seems very logical, is the fact of responding when we are spoken to directly. the fact of answering when they speak directly to us.. Many children get used to not responding when they are spoken to (especially adults), either out of embarrassment, fear, laziness...

It is good to convey the idea of responding to things that are said to us, and if we don't want to continue talking, let the other person know that as well.

10. Being assertive

Being assertive implies the ability to know how to say "no" to situations, questions or offers that we don't want to hear from others.Intrinsically, it implies learning to defend our tastes, interests, desires and rights. This is fundamental to respect oneself in front of others. It is not easy to achieve, since assertiveness needs a lot of work, and there are people who find it more difficult to be assertive.

However, it is essential to work with children on this "rule", so that when they are adults they will have learned to say what they really think, without disrespecting anyone (or hurting anyone). It is about expressing what we want in a sincere and polite way.

11. Ask for forgiveness

Another fundamental rule for coexistence is ask for forgiveness when we hurt someone or when we disrespect them.. Sometimes we hurt others (or simply annoy them) unconsciously and unintentionally; however, even on these occasions, it is important to apologize.

Apologizing is a sign of empathy and respect towards others, which will help us to take care of friendships.

Bibliographical references:

• Mena, M.L. (2009). School coexistence. Revista Enfoques Educacionales, 11(1): 55-64.

• Notó, C. (1998). Norms of coexistence in the classroom and in the center. How to respond to conflicts. La disciplina en la enseñanza secundaria. Biblioteca de Aula, Graó.

• Olea, J.C. (2003). Psychology of coexistence: practical contributions. Encuentros Multidisciplinares, 1-7.