Teach Your Child Good Manners

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Teach Your Child Good Manners!

Good manners must be practiced by you in order for your children to know and practice it. Remember your children observe and emulate your actions and behaviors.

What is Good Manners?

A gesture of respect and consideration for other people.

It teaches your child to be kinder and more polite.

Tells the kind of upbringing your child has.

Tells a lot about you the parent.

Is an indication of your social development.

Earns the respect of peers.

Greeting Others.

Each culture has its own way of greeting. For example in Holland, they kiss three times on the cheeks. In El Salvador, they kiss once on the cheek. In St. Vincent it's hug. The important thing is to know how your culture greets each other and to teach that to your children.

Say good morning, good evening, or hello when you see someone for the first time. It is appropriate to shake hands if greeting a teacher or new adult friend being introduced by your family. If it’s a family member or a good friend, a hug or a kiss on the cheek may be appropriate.

Say goodbye before you leave. Shake hands if it’s appropriate. Hugging or a kiss on the cheek is appropriate for family or friends.

Pay a compliment to someone if you think it’s appropriate.

Conversing with Others.

Never interrupt when someone is speaking. Wait your turn.

Do not scream to get your voice heard.

Do not dominate the conversation.

Do not brag about yourself or things you have.

Be a good listener and make appropriate comments to what others have to say.

When you have visitors.

If there are other children present and the kids want to wander off to be together that’s okay.

If the child’s presence is required, do not allow talking on the cell phone.

Avoid using the computer.

Participate in the conversation appropriately.

Good Manners at the Dinner Table.

Having dinner parties or friends and family over for dining can give your children an opportunity to practice their dining etiquette.

Remember, the spaces at the table are small and each person needs to be responsible for their space. Don’t spread out your dinner items including your elbows into other people’s space.

Wash hands before meals.

Wait until everyone is seated before beginning to eat.

Place napkin on the lap.

If you want a dish but you cannot reach it, ask for it. Do not try to reach across the table for it.

Do not attempt to speak with your mouth full of food.

Do not read at the table while others are eating.
Do not carry on a conversation on the cell phone at the table.
Try to listen and participate in the conversation.
If you have to leave the table, ask to be excused.
Help with clearing the table.
Good manners are about Saying Please and Thank You. Saying please and thank you are indicators of
Consideration for others
Unselfishness
A sign of appreciation and gratitude
Not taking things for granted
Remember that teaching good manners to your children is part of their social development. It helps them to navigate through life and society more smoothly. It helps to build better relationships.
Whenever opportunities to practice good manners arise, observe your child's actions. Correct the inappropriate behaviors and don't forget to praise them for their good behavior.

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