How to Help Kids Learn Manners
- Encourage kids to say hello and goodbye when someone visits or leaves the home.
- Remind kids to say please and then thank you as well as your welcome on a regular basis.
- Teach kids to make thank you cards after every birthday party or holiday event.
- Teach kids to say excuse me, especially when interrupting a conversation, or when they need to get by.
- Teach kids not to open closed doors until they have knocked and been told to enter.
- Encourage kids to ask their siblings to do things versus demanding they help out.
- Remind kids to be okay with spilling something on accident, but that they need to clean it up.
- Be a consistent example and use encouraging words to ensure your kids use manners daily.
Now that you have some tips on how to help kids learn some manners, how can parents help the kids use these manners regularly?
The best way to start getting your kids to use the manners they have learned through family and community interaction, is to continually encourage and remind them to use those skills they have been taught. Kids are creatures of habit, that’s simply how they are wired no matter the age, as you work to continuously remind kids how to use their manners they are learning to make this a repetitive action and eventually will require no reminders. Most parents want their kids to be on their best behavior when going out to visit friends or eat dinner at a restaurant, when you start to work towards teaching these manners to your kids at home, those traits will expand beyond the home into their everyday way of life naturally.
Let's discuss: How do you teach your own kids about manners?
Oh yes, this is so important. My kids learned them young and better use them - or else ;)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm definitely with you on that. If my kids don't use their manners then they know that their lives are going to be miserable with me.
DeleteWe have family dinners every single night. At the table. All together. It isn't easy, but it was a priority of mine long before I had children.
ReplyDeleteWe used to but now with all of us having different schedules it can be tough, but we do it on the weekends.
DeleteTHANK YOU! It is the most important way a child learns, by modeling what they see in their parents. As a former elementary principal, I am so grateful!
ReplyDeleteThey really do learn and model what they see, so when I see a kid with no manners, usually their parents don't practice it.
DeleteI think being a consistent example is probably the most important one - and not just for manners! How can we expect our kids to act a certain way if we are not acting that way?
ReplyDeleteExactly. Consistency and modeling is key.
DeleteWe definitely try to lead by example. Kids will mimic how we act how we do!
ReplyDeleteThat is very true, we should lead by example.
DeleteFirst off, I love her dress! She looks so cute! I think there are many keys to teaching kids manners, and above all, being that example is key.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary and if we don't have any manners or don't use them, how can we expect our kids to do so?
DeleteGrowing up in Ireland, manners were so important. Almost as important as going to mass and if you forgot either one, you were going to burn in the fiery pits of Hell. I like your ideas better.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never heard it that way before but I'm pretty sure hearing that you were going to burn in hell worked. :)
DeleteHaving good manners has always been of utmost importance in our home. My husband and I agreed before we even had kids that they must be well behaved and have good manners. I think we are doing a good job because we always get compliments about how polite our boys are from people outside the house.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Maria, and your son was very well behaved when I met him so you guys did a splendid job.
DeleteWhile I can't say that I was really big on teaching my daughter manners, I did feel it was important. She sort of naturally caught on to using manners on her own, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm assuming that you also used them, that's truly one of the ways that kids learn.
DeleteIt's such an important skill for our kids to have. Seems these days most parents completely skip over teaching their children any type of manners. It was extremely important to me to teach all of my kids to use manners. My boys understand about words they say as well as their actions, like opening and holding doors for others. Role playing is a great way to teach our kids.
ReplyDeleteIt does seems that way. I have met quite a few kids who seems to not know how to say the words, please, thank you, or excuse me at all.
DeleteThese are such great tips. Kids often know their manners, but it is a lot harder to get your kids to use them.
ReplyDeleteThat's why you need to be consistent and encourage them to use them at every opportunity.
DeleteYes ! It is a massive bug bear of mine when someone does not have good manners. I guess people don't feel the need to be as polite anymore which saddens me!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame and I agree, I hate it when someone doesn't use it or acts like they don't have any.
DeleteI think manners and kindness are far more important than pretty much anything for me for my kids.. except happiness. And it all spreads together. I try to set a good example and have them see it. My mom is super friendly with good manners and I picked it up from watching her when I was a kid. It's contagious!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's why you're such a great mom. Having your kids mimic you is a great way for them to learn.
DeleteThis is wonderful. Kindness and manners go a long way! I remember growing up other people would always compliment my parents because my brother and I were always so well-behaved. I know it meant a lot to my mom!
ReplyDeleteIt sure did I'm pretty sure. I make sure that my kids use theirs all the time, no matter how young or old they are.
DeleteI think it's a mix between consistent practice and demonstrated behavior. I know as a mommy I don't always exhibit good manners, but the truth is my little people are watching and that's important.
ReplyDeleteYes they sure are watching you and you want them to exhibit good manners because you have them.
DeleteIf I could forward this to every parent ever I would. It seems simple manners are lacking more and more in children (and some adults!). A simple please, and thank you goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteIt really does Di. I have met a lot of rude people and their kids and I know that it's what they see, so they mimic it.
DeleteI agree that it's important to teach children manners. It will take them a long way in life! The best way is to lead by example.
ReplyDeleteLeading by example is a great way to teach them but you also have to know them. :)
DeleteManners are so important to learn early so that children grow into respectful adults. Good habits are hard to break!
ReplyDeleteYes they really are hard to break and and so are bad ones, so teach the good early.
DeleteKid's totally learn from us. I have a couple bad habits that my son has picked up (biting nails, but he has now stopped). So manners are another thing that is very important to model for children. Thanks for the reminder, we are always being watched. Kids are like Big Brother. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe surely are being watched and since we're their role models and they want to be like us, let's do the best we can so they can be the best they can be.
DeleteAbsolutely wonderful little informational guide! My mom would always remind me about my manners, and placed me in ballet when I was little to further my "education in poise" :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a rather strict mom. I wouldn't enroll my daughter in ballet for that reason, but I'd enroll her if she wanted to just for fun.
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