MANNERS YOU SHOULD BE TEACHING YOUR CHILD

Learning good manners helps your children to behave towards others with respect and empathy.

Your little one will also gain the confidence that comes with knowing the proper things to do.

Parents understand they should be teaching their kids to say “please” and “thank you,” but that’s just the tip of the manners iceberg.

There are several other important manners that parents should be encouraging their children to learn.

MANNERS YOU SHOULD BE TEACHING YOUR CHILD

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Not only are manners just the correct way to behave, but they will also set your children up for a lifetime of success with friends, family, and coworkers.

There are several different situations where consideration means a lot, but it is sometimes forgotten.

It’s never too late to start teaching your child manners you would like to see.

BEWARE OF OTHERS

It is astounding how often you may find yourself stepping off into the grass as a bunch of teenagers pass you on the sidewalk, taking up the entire walkway without any consideration for you.

Whether your child is walking or riding their bike down the sidewalk or walking in a crowded mall, children need to be aware of the people around them and how their behavior may affect them.

When you are walking somewhere, and someone is headed right for you, move to the right, going single-file and make space for them the pass.

Or step aside and allow them to pass you before you continue.

DON’T POINT OR STARE

Children need to be aware of other people and their emotional space.

Never stare at people or point unless you’re giving directions.

Ask your children how they would feel if someone were staring or pointing at them and allow that to lead the conversation.

It’s incredibly rude to stare or point at others, and children need to be aware of that.

BE A GOOD GUEST

While it’s possible that you have already had several conversations about helping to pick up toys and games prior to leaving a playdate, there is far more to being a polite guest than that.

Teach your child to fit themselves in with the host’s habits and schedules.

If they do something differently at their house than your children are used to, like eating dinner at the table or in front of the TV, teach them to respect that and not make a big deal of it.

It is also important that your child learns to address their friends parents.

Have them say hello and thank them for the invitation.

THEY DON’T NEED TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

Remember the old adage “children should be seen, not heard“?

I find that saying a little extreme.

While we don’t want our children to be seen and not heard, it is also important that we don’t allow our children to become the center of attention.

Talking to them about that and helping them to be aware of this behavior will teach them how to focus conversations on others as well.

REMEMBER NAMES

People enjoy hearing their names used, and they want to make sure that it’s pronounced properly.

One of the things you can practice with your kids is asking for someone’s name and teaching them ways to remember it.

ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS

Acknowledging people when they visit your home, whether it be family members or visitors, is incredibly important.

Children should greet guests that come into their home, whether they shake hands or simply say hello.

It is important to make guests in your home feel welcome.

MAKE EYE CONTACT

It is important to look at someone when you are talking to them.

Always make sure to try your best to make eye contact and never stare at a screen during a conversation.

Children need to learn that conversation takes priority over technology.

We as parents can be a good example by putting down our phones when we talk to our kids.

RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION

These days most invitations seem to come via social media, email, or text message, making it easy for your children to respond with a quick yes.

It’s ok to say no if you can’t make it but saying something at all is better than just ignoring or not responding to the invitation.

Teaching your children manners is incredibly important. While basic manners hold some weight, there are many others that children need to learn to be polite.