When a child displays good manners and etiquette, it is a sign that they have been brought up well. Manners for kids has become more crucial than ever in today’s tech-driven, fast-paced world. With Covid-19 being in place, online schooling, parents need to be more present than ever to help shape their child’s personality. But how do you ensure those good manners become a habitual part of your kid’s life? The trick is to catch them young! Teaching your little one good manners for kids early on will ensure they grow up to be a humble and compassionate individual.
If you want to know how to teach your child manners and respect, TC46 is here to help. But before we come to that, let’s take a look at a few important good manners and equities that you must instil in your child.
Good Manners That Every Child Should Know
1. The Right Way To Have A Conversation
Here are a few good manners for children that you need to teach your kids when they are old enough to take part in conversations actively:
- Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ wherever necessary
- Not to yell, shout or scream during a conversation
- Say sorry whenever required
- Don’t use foul language (neither publicly nor at home)
- Give compliments to others
- Don’t interrupt when others are talking, especially grownups
- Wait till the other person is done talking before putting across your point. This will teach a child the importance of listening
- Saying ‘excuse me’ if the child wants to interrupt an ongoing conversation or if he/she bumps into someone
- Don’t pass comments on people’s appearance
Has your child developed social anxiety during the lockdown? Here’s expert advice on inculcating social skills in their routine.
2. Asking Before Taking Things
Children should be taught to ask for things that don’t belong to them. This also means that they need to ask before taking things that belong to the parents. If a child needs to borrow something, they should know it’s important to use it wisely, keep it safe and return it on time.
3. Knocking Before Entering
This is another important part of good manners for kids that is often overlooked. A great way to ensure that your kid learns to respect other people’s privacy is by teaching them to knock before entering someone’s room. The child must know it is important to wait for permission instead of simply barging into someone else’s space unannounced.
To instil this habit into your child, you must practice it yourself. Next time you enter your kid’s room, make sure you knock first!
4. Being Nice To Others
One of the most important lessons that kids need to learn early on is that they should be nice to others. They must understand it is not okay to make fun of people neither in public nor in private. Parents should explain to them that doing so may hurt other people’s feelings. Teach your kid to be kind, polite, and respectful.
5. Good Table Manners
Instil basic table manners in your child. Be it a regular family dinner or a big holiday meal, children should understand the importance of practising good table manners. Teach them things like chewing with their mouth closed, waiting for everyone to be served before eating and asking politely for a dish to be passed to them. Older children can also help set up and clear the dining table.
Children should also know they aren’t supposed to use electronics at the dinner table. Also, instead of just getting up and leaving, they should ask others to be excused at the end of a meal.
Read here, basic table manners and table etiquette for kids.
6. Pointing Or Staring Is Not Cool
Teach your kids that it is rude to point or stare at people. This can act as a base for your child to help them understand and respect the emotional space of other people. Get them thinking about it by asking how they would feel if someone singles them out by pointing or staring at them.
7. Sharing Is Caring
To grow up to be compassionate human beings, a child needs to learn the importance of sharing from an early age. Start with encouraging your kids to share their toys when you play with them. Make sure they share their toys or food with their friends during playdates.
It can be difficult trying to come up with great indoor activities to keep your busy kiddos entertained. Find here 10 toy recommendations your kids will love and can share with their friends.
8. Being A Considerate House Guest
The child should be considerate and polite while visiting other people’s homes. While it’s okay for them to express their preferences (like when being served food), it is not okay to be a fussy guest. Make sure that your kid greets the hosts well and thanks them for their kindness.
9. Keeping The Space Clean
Kids are often forgetful about keeping away their toys after playing. They tend to care little about keeping back things in their allocated places after use. And of course, one can’t deny that they are messy eaters! Inculcate the habit of cleaning up in your kids by making sure they put away their toys and clothes after use. You can also ask them to help you clean up after a meal or seek their assistance for other small household chores. With time, the child will learn to clean up after themselves automatically.
10. Good Hygiene
Speaking of manners for kids, one cannot overlook the importance of proper hygiene. Teach young kids to cover their mouth while coughing or sneezing. They should also learn that habits like picking one’s nose in public are not appreciated. Also, make sure your child washes their hands before every meal.
How To Teach Good Manners To Child?
Wondering how to raise a child with good manners? These 14 simple tips can help you raise your kid to be a well-mannered individual:
- Children look up to their parents. Hence, the best way to learn good manners for kids is by seeing their parents practice what they preach. Having a conversation about good manners is not enough. You need to follow the habits that you are trying to inculcate in your child.
- Practise good manners like knocking on doors, cleaning up, dining table etiquette, and being polite at home with your kids.
- Children love to be praised. When your child does something nice or displays a good habit, make sure you praise and encourage them.
- Just like it is important to praise children, it is also vital to correct them if they do something wrong. When your kid makes a mistake, gently correct them on the spot. If your child is sensitive, it is better to talk in private.
- It is important to keep calm when you are trying to teach something to a child. Children tend to have an active mind and a short attention span. As an adult, it is your responsibility to keep calm. Be gentle and firm while explaining to your child why it is important to practice good manners.
- Be respectful and polite towards others and your child will imbibe this good habit.
- Repeatedly use words like ‘sorry’, ‘excuse me’, ‘please’, and ‘thank you’ in front of your child and encourage them to use these words as well.
- Turn dinner conversations into teachable moments. This opportunity could be used to teach a child how to have a conversation (listening, disagreeing respectfully, waiting for a turn to speak, and more).
- Monitor their screen time. Make sure your child is not watching or reading any content that is not appropriate for their age. Limit TV time and cell phone use. The benefits of reduced screen time go beyond good manners. Read here, tips for parenting in the digital age.
- Evaluate your own manners and make adjustments if needed. Pay attention to the way you interact with your spouse, family, and friends. Set a good example for your children.
- Practice good manners by role-playing tricky situations with your kid. It will prepare your child to tackle new or complicated circumstances.
- Make sure you explain to your kid why a specific behaviour is not appreciated. Make sure they know the consequences of being impolite. The child will be more likely to remember the specific etiquette rule if they know why a certain behaviour is considered impolite.
- Make sure whatever you are teaching your child is appropriate according to their age and developmental level. A young child cannot be expected to learn complex communication etiquette and skills. Start from the basics.
- Teach your child one thing at a time. It is easier for the child to focus on one area at a time without becoming overwhelmed.
Good manners for children are of utmost importance and parents must begin to inculcate these good habits in their children early on. Good behaviour will help children form more positive connections with their peers as well as adults. Well-mannered children are appreciated by everyone and this can help them grow up to be happy and satisfied adults. Respectful kids stand apart from the crowd. They tend to be more empathetic, kind, honest, and disciplined. All these qualities will help them succeed in life.
