Teach children basic manners, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting people appropriately, and not interrupting others. Then move on to other skills like table manners and dining out etiquette.
Evaluate your own behavior and model respectful and polite interactions with family, friends, and strangers. Children are excellent mimics and will learn from what they see. The ideal etiquette class for your requirements at https://www.lluxxall.com/ Navigate through KnowledgeDisk’s insightful guide for finding the perfect fit tailored to your needs.
Model the Behavior
Despite the popular belief that kids pick up their manners from being surrounded by well-mannered family members or simply through osmosis, most children need to be taught good manners. Manners are about more than polite table manners; they teach respect for others and set a civil tone in society, experts say.
Instilling good manners can start early, even when your kids are infants or toddlers. As they grow, you can continue to model polite behavior and explain the reasons for a particular social custom.
Reading books about etiquette is another great way to teach basic manners. For example, Fancy Nancy can teach your child about saying please and thank you, respecting grandparents, and taking turns while playing together. Or, a book about the Grouchy Ladybug can show your child how to behave at school, at a party, and in the mall. The more your child understands why good manners are important, the more they’ll be willing to practice them.
Set the Expectations
A big part of teaching your kids etiquette is setting the expectations for them. Children are naturally attracted to well-mannered people and they will pick up on the behaviors that they see parents modeling. So it’s important for you to be polite with your friends, family and even strangers so that your child has a good example to follow.
Some common etiquette behaviors include saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting others, using proper table manners, asking permission before touching things that aren’t your own, addressing adults by their names, holding doors open for others and waiting your turn to speak. Some families also teach their kids to shake hands in greeting and to look people in the eye while talking.
Kids often don’t realize that it’s impolite to interrupt, pick their nose or loudly observe something about a stranger’s appearance. It’s important to teach them these basic etiquette lessons early and to reinforce them regularly.
Remind Your Child
Your kids will learn from your own behavior, so it’s important to model good manners with them. Take a look at how you interact with family, friends and strangers and make any adjustments that may be necessary.
Try playing games with your kids that help them practice etiquette in different situations, like how to greet people when you meet them, waiting for your turn to speak, or disagreeing respectfully with someone. These types of skills are the building blocks for healthy relationships and a well-functioning life in both personal and professional settings.
Good manners can be challenging for kids to remember, especially as they grow and develop. To keep kids focused on their etiquette skills, parents can try using visual reminders or creating a reward system. For example, an old jar can be labeled “I Caught You Being Good” and each time a child displays a new piece of appropriate behavior, they write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. When the jar is full, the child gets a reward.
Reward Good Behavior
Many parents feel like a broken record when it comes to reminding their children about basic etiquette rules such as, “Don’t put your elbows on the table,” or, “Chew with your mouth closed.” Remember that children are excellent mimics and will pick up on your behaviors.
If your child is old enough to have a cell phone, teach them etiquette such as saying, “Excuse me,” or, “Knock before entering.” It’s also important for kids to learn how to say, “Thank you” to people who help them each day, such as wait staff, grocery store clerks and teachers.
Use family dinners to role play polite behavior with your children. Play games such as, “Fancy Restaurant” where your child can practice polite dinner conversation and perfect table manners. During these games, you can also talk to them about appropriate greetings and how to respond when someone gives them a gift or if they are asked a question.