One of the things I’m always complimented on is how polite my kids are. It’s definitely been a work in progress for many years, and most of it is because I tend to be polite myself. Please and thank you is a part of my normal vocabulary and my kids mimic me.
With all the manners there are out there for a child to learn, here are the 30 most important manners for kids to know, in my humble opinion.
30 Most Important Manners For Kids To Know
What I like to do is just work on one or two manners at a time.
Don’t try to teach too many things at once. A child can get overloaded pretty quickly and feel like you’re pushing some agenda and then resist your attempts. Just keep it natural, but teach them what you would like them to learn.
One idea on how to get your child to say please and thank you…
When your child asks you for something, require her to say, “Please” and after the request is granted, “Thank you.”
Teaching her to do this will result in her not saying “I want…” and will help her to understand the importance of being polite when asking someone for something.
I do this every single time my kids ask and receive. I will literally hold my hand there and not finish giving it to them until they’ve said the appropriate words. I want them always to be very conscience of being grateful. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to trigger their brain…OH…I need to say thank you. 🙂 But eventually, it becomes something they remember automatically.
In fact, yesterday, my 11 year old said, “Thank you,” after I made her a plate of food. Something that seems so general and routine, she said thank you for. I was very impressed and commended her on it. Positive reinforcement is always great.
However you teach your children these manners is not important, but teaching them IS important.
You can print out this cute free printable I made just for you by clicking here.
These printables are for personal use only. You may not alter them or redistribute them for monetary gain without written consent from the author, Sarah Titus).
Anonymous says
February 3 at 1:53 pmManners are very important to learn at a young age. Thank you for sharing this!!
Sarah Titus says
February 3 at 3:52 pmAbsolutely! 🙂
Emily says
February 4 at 7:00 amHi Sarah,
I found your blog a while ago and always enjoy your posts. I was very inspired by your story and am working on starting my own blog after visiting so many great ones, like yours. 🙂
I would so love to walk around with this printable in public! I am teaching almost all of these to my kids and sometimes seems like I’m the only one, it’s great to see I’m not alone! Thanks for this great post, keep up the good work.
Sarah Titus says
February 4 at 3:47 pmYou’re not alone Emily. 🙂 So glad that you like it. 🙂
Mo says
October 9 at 10:14 amEvery parent and teacher should have this printable. Manners are so important! Thank you for sharing.
Sarah Titus says
October 9 at 11:44 amAbsolutely Mo. 🙂
Celia says
February 12 at 11:49 amThanks so very much for this reminder. Good manners go a long way. Reminders like this should be posted in every home and school and in the public eyes.
Sarah Titus says
February 12 at 12:46 pmCelia, I’m glad you liked it. I agree with the idea of posting a list of manners. I don’t think they ever go out of style, and they definitely help kids when they become adults!
Jeannie Wallace says
July 10 at 10:40 amThank you so much for this wonderful list of manners. I’m working on these very things with my 11 year old and in the community we live in, it seems vey difficult at times. I believe that these are extremely important so I will not give up. She thinks you are very cool so if you believe the same as I do, maybe that will give me a leg up lol. Thanks again Sarah.
Sarah Titus says
July 10 at 11:20 amThat’s great. There’s power in numbers. 🙂 Find more people who believe that. haha.
Ms. B says
January 16 at 7:49 amA lot of teachers would like to post this in their classrooms. You’d be shocked at how many youngsters are not taught these basic manners at home. Of course, that puts them at a severe disadvantage. Thank you for offering this free of charge.
Sarah Titus says
January 16 at 1:53 pmAbsolutely. 🙂 <3
Christine Williams says
March 20 at 8:35 pmSarah, I have a couple for you to add to the list. One is to say yes sir/no sir, yes ma’am/no ma’am to show respect and never call an adult by their first name alone, if a child is allowed by parents or the adult to use the first name it should always be Mr. or Miss so and so. I love this list. Thank you
Joanna says
May 14 at 5:39 amThis is great. Love it! Such a pretty design and awesome idea.
Sarah Titus says
May 14 at 5:47 amGlad you like it, Joanna.