Using Good Manners

Nearly every parent has been completely mortified as their child proudly lets out the loudest burp possible in the middle of a first-class restaurant. When asked where he learned such awful behavior, the child lists the accomplishment as something cousin Freddie taught him last weekend during a sleepover. What a great time to display his new talent! Most parents consider the behavior of their children a reflection on their parenting skills.

Good Manners at the Table

Young children have little sense of what's right and wrong in many social situations, and a new experience is no time to learn. They simply act the same way they would at any other time. It's this reason why teaching kids to use good manners is important in everyday situations. Kids need to understand that there is a time for play and a time to be on their best behavior. Working manners lessons into everyday activities is key to teaching kids how to use good manners when they're not at home.

Teach Kids Manners at Dinnertime

Eat meals together as a family. Teach kids how to set the table, and where things go. Teach them how to ask for something politely and how to excuse themselves when they're finished. Require that your child use the same table manners at dinnertime that you would want him to display in an important social situation. Using common experiences to teach important lessons can help your child understand how to behave in less common situations. A chore chart is a great way to organize what needs to be done and by whom.

Behaving at the Restaurant

There's no doubt that the way we behave in public is often very different from the way we behave at home. Explain to your child that we have to behave a certain way in public because, if everyone was out of control, going out would not be pleasant. Teach your child to take other people into consideration whenever possible. Don't forget to model good manners, too. If you tell your child to say please and thank you, but you rarely do yourself, he's not likely to display good manners.