Developmentally speaking, it’s good for children to learn to form their own opinions and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas. But it’s important for kids to understand that they must express themselves in a respectful manner, whether they’re discussing something with adults or with other kids. In fact, the ability to calmly share your ideas even when it conflicts with other people’s viewpoints is a sign of maturity. When you see adults who are not able to do this, they appear immature.

What Parents Can Do to Encourage Polite Discussions