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 basic manners for kids 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 the good manners 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 conscious 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 etiquette and manners for kids free printable here.
