This is one of most important things that a child is always in need of, and that many parents frequently do not heed.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would make young- sters feel appreciated and appreciative of themselves, and that they were, in many of their issues, like grown-ups, with rights that are to be observed.
It was reported from Sahl ibn Sa’d As-Saa’idi (a Companion)
that a drink was brought to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while a boy was sitting on his right side and elder men were sitting on his left side. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, drank and asked the boy: “Will you allow me to give it to these (elder people)?” The boy said: “No, by Al- lah, I will not give up my right to drink (directly) after you.” Then the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, put the bowl in the boy’s hand.1
Respecting a child’s personality increases his independence, compo- sure and develops his talents, while belittling him and lowering his status could give him psychological complexes and a feeling of internal turmoil and inferiority.