Teaching code switching

We're at that stage where we need to intentionally teach Elisabeth how to address adults. In that process, I have observed (and remembered) that children learn to code switch. What I mean is this: If a child is taught to address adults generally as Mr., Mrs., and Miss (Last name), and closer family friends as Mr., Mrs. and Miss (First name) or Auntie and Uncle (First name), she or he will pick up on the fact that adults do not address each other in this way. This is not only good, but important. It means that they will learn that different rules of interaction apply to different people. So, when I say, "I'm going to call Jeremy," it is most natural for her to reply, "Daddy, why are you going to call Uncle Jeremy?" She is perceiving that the relationship between Daddy and Jeremy is different from the relationship between Elisabeth and Jeremy.

I am not saying that there is one way, regardless of culture, for children to address adults. I am saying that it is important to teach respect for elders in the ways that children address adults, and that asking them to address adults in ways different than Mommy and Daddy do is not only appropriate (and possible!) but also helpful.