Table Manners Your Six-Year-Old Should Know
Children do not learn proper table manners overnight. It takes years of repetition and consistent training to refine their skills. Parents have eighteen years to help shape their child’s table manners so there is plenty of time to patiently work with them. Expect lots of errors and missteps. Use gentle guidance and never scold or embarrass. Just kindly correct and continue eating.
The following is a list of table manners that your child should have a good grasp of by age six:
- Wash their hands and face before sitting down to the table.
- Sit down in their proper seat and put their napkin in their lap.
- Wait to begin eating until everyone is seated and has been served.
- Say, “Excuse Me,” and ask permission to leave the table.
- Elbows do not belong on the table.
- Mouths should stay closed while chewing and pieces should be bite sized.
- “May I please” and “Thank you” should be used when children would like food and never reach across the table.
- It is never kind or polite to make negative comments about what is being served for dinner.
- Before getting up at the end of the meal say, “May I please be excused?”
