It’s Never Too Early to Start
Learning Manners and Proper Etiquette
A
good age to start teaching manners to your child is around the age of two
years. At this age children start
understanding that other people have the same feeling just like them. It becomes easier to teach your child that
their behavior affects others.
Example: Peter receives a
birthday present from Uncle Joe, “Peter, what do you say when you receive a
gift? “Thank you.” By gentle prompting by parents children can
start learning to say please, thank you and you’re welcome.
Teaching
your two year to apologize will need a little more prompting on the parent’s
part. At this age your child understands
empathy but probably won’t apologize on his own. When your child hits another child the parent
should explain that, "We don't hit; hitting hurts." Then, prompt him
to apologize: "When we hurt someone, we say, 'I'm sorry.'"
The
same would be true for not sharing toys. At this age children do not like to
share. Start off by setting up a play
date with another child and have your child offer toys to his playmate. This also will need some parent prompting. The prompting would be, “When we don’t share
our toys it makes Sally sad.”
At
this age you can also start teaching your child where their napkin
belongs. You can start working with your
child that food belongs on the plate and not on the floor. Start out with a plastic plate and encourage
him to use his utensils. Discourage him
from throwing food on the floor by saying, “Food stays on your plate and does
not belong on the floor.”
Something
else starts to happen at this age, nose picking and potty training. This can be rather embarrassing for the
parent. The best way to deal with nose
picking is to simply give your child a tissue.
As for the potty talk your child will probably have all kinds of words
to utter for this one. You will have to
deal with as they will need to use these words to communicate what they have to
do. But if they are saying these words
to get a reaction out of you, don’t show them any emotion. Take it as a matter of fact.
I
believe the best way to raise your child is with the old golden rule, “Do unto
others as they would do unto you.” Treating
other people like they would want to be treated is something they can relate
too.
Learning
good manners and proper etiquette is an ongoing life long experience. As your child grows so do their manners. Consistency is a must when teaching your
children etiquette as well as parents being the example. Good manners start at home.
It
is important to start teaching your child manners early so manners become a way
of life and something a child does automatically.
Visit our website for upcoming etiquette courses for children and teens!
