Manners Matter

Every parent wants their little angel to act like one, but if you’re not emphasizing the importance of good manners early, you’re setting yourself (and your child) up for some hard lessons later. But raising well-mannered children goes far beyond teaching basic table skills. Other aspects include learning to share; apologizing; saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me;” showing respect for others; and curbing “gross” behavior like nose-picking and potty talk.

Start Early: Experts agree that the sooner you teach your child manners, the better. At around 1 ½ to 2 years old, many children begin to gain awareness of those around them and to understand that others have feelings similar to theirs, making it an ideal age to start. The goal is to make using good manners a habit, something they’ll begin to do automatically whether you’re around or not.

Practice Makes Perfect: Being polite will help your children enjoy more positive –and beneficial—social interactions for the rest of their lives, but it won’t happen overnight. It’s best to start by teaching them just a few social graces at a time. Things like responding to greetings, looking others in the eyes when speaking or listening and saying, “Thank you,” are easy places to begin. It’s important to reinforce the right behavior with praise and point it out (politely!) when your child misses the mark. Consistency us equally key. Make sure you and your spouse (as well as any other caregivers) are on the same page. Always expect good manners and make your children aware of your expectations.

Model Behavior: Most kids learn as much from example as they do from instruction. Make sure you practice what you preach and employ good manners in your interactions with others.