How to Teach Children Good Manners

Teaching children to have good manners may not be the easiest thing to do, but it certainly is important and it has plenty of benefits to it as well. As a parent you should want your kids to grow up to be respectful of others and be a positive reflection on you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Time
• Good manners

1. 
   Your children are watching you closely

   The thing that absolutely must be done at all times is for you to be a good example for your children. Your children must see that you have good manners since they are going to be watching every move you make very closely. If you don't have good manners at all times, how can you expect your children to learn to have good manners?

2. Teach the children early on to have good manners. I truly believe that some parents don't give their children enough credit and they wait too long to begin to teach lessons on manners. Get your child started early learning these important lessons and you'll be a step ahead of the game.

3. Continually push the message of good manners and explain to your children what exactly having good manners means. It cannot be something that is taught occasionally, but rather it must be something that is done on a constant basis and something that they will remember for a long time to come.

4. Use everyday situations to teach lessons of having good manners. For example, if you see someone else's child in the store being rude and acting terribly, have a talk to your child and explain what their peer was doing that you simply won't allow them to get by with. Using life examples is a very effective method of getting your message through.

5. Try to make the process as positive as possible. When your child shows good manners let them know that you are proud of them and how well they are doing, but don't overdo it. Also, don't come unglued the first time your child displays poor manners, rather have a talk with them and let them know what they have done wrong.

6. 
   Have zero tolerance for poor manners at home

   Maybe the most important step of all is to make sure your child understands that their good manners need to be used at ALL times, including at home. If you allow children to start being obnoxious or do things that would embarrass you in public, you are teaching them a bad lesson. Make sure the home is the place where the good manners start.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise and positive support is very important, so stay positive with your children!
• Ask your children to tell you what they think good manners means, and make them aware of why it is important.
• Don't laugh when your child does something in poor taste, or they will simply think you are approving of their actions.

Resources

• http://www.kidsturncentral.com/links/mannerslinks.htm

[doban]

on 8/12/2009 Good advice. Children have to be taught good manners and you are absolutely right about being a good example to our children.

[bossypants]

on 6/28/2009 Your children will always be welcomed guests and joy to be with! Good examples, and conscientious care will make all the difference! Every parent should read this! Thanks for the tips.

[edieness]

on 6/13/2009 Nice articele on teaching children good manners. Setting an example is definately key. Nice work.5*

[copperhill]

on 6/2/2009 This parenting advice is excellent. It should be required reading for all new parents. We practice all of these steps with our two children - ages 1 and 3. It works!