5 Ways To Teach Your Kids Good Manners and Etiquette

As parents and caregivers, helping our children develop social skills, including how to interact politely in everyday situations, is one of the most important jobs we have. Teaching your kids to use good manners is also one simple way to instill the values of kindness and respect which the world needs now more than ever. The key is to start early and be consistent.

* Use polite language

Learning to use polite words and phrases is the foundation of good manners. The easiest way to teach kids to say please, thank you, you’re welcome and excuse me, is to make sure they hear you using those words every day and in a variety of situations. This doesn’t mean they will always remember you can remind them but if you are setting a good example, eventually your child will start using polite words without being nudged.

* Watch your words

Young children don’t have the ability to filter what is appropriate to say and what isn’t, which can lead to some embarrassing situations. Chances are your child will notice people who look different and want to comment on or ask about those differences. They may also announce that they don’t like a meal or a gift they were given in front of the person who gave it.

* Teach to greet

One of the most important social skills your child can learn is how to properly greet other people. First, emphasize eye contact. To make it easier for a young child, tell them to look to see what color eyes the person has. Practice simple responses to common questions like, “How are you?” Role-playing can help your child feel more confident answering these questions and your coaching will ensure that they don’t give out too much information about themselves.

* Practice patience

For a young child, waiting to speak can feel like torture. When a child has a thought, they want to express it immediately regardless of what is happening around them or who they are interrupting. But how do you get your child to learn the habit of waiting his turn to speak? Verbal reminders are important, but often fail to reinforce the lesson. Try a visual cue like special toy or talking stick instead. Say, “When I hand you this toy, it is your turn to talk.”

* Be a good guest

Being a polite guest is important especially as children get older. Your child should always follow the parent’s rules when at a friend’s house, clean up after herself, use polite language, and thank the parents and friend for having her over. Talk through these manners before you bring your child to a playdate.