Good & Poor Manners for Children

Good table manners are an important skill your child will use throughout his lifetime.

Good manners can set a child up for success in school, play and extracurricular activities. Poor manners can stunt a child in the same areas. Children learn good manners best when they are taught from an early age how to act politely. Good manners will give your child a social advantage many children today do not possess.

Common Courtesies

Common courtesies well-mannered children know are "please" and "thank you" as well as answering adults with "yes ma'am" and "yes sir." Please and thank you should be used with adults, as well as with other children. Children with poor manners may think passing gas and belching are appropriate behaviors. However, children with good manners will know to only participate in these behaviors while away from a group of people. If gas is accidentally passed in the presence of others, a well-mannered child will say "excuse me" and not laugh at the behavior.

Table Manners

The table offers many opportunities for children to display either good or bad table manners. Good table manners begin before children ever sit down. In order to show respect for the cook, the child should wash his face and hands before sitting down. The child should then place a napkin in his lap. A well-mannered child will never talk with his mouth full, and will remember to cut his food into small pieces. Examples of bad table manners include reaching across the table for food instead of requesting the food be passed, refusing to eat what is served and leaving the table without being excused.

Phone Manners

In today's world, phone manners are characterized more with the use of cell phones and texting than with a home phone line. It is bad manners for a child to answer a cell phone while conversing with a friend or adult, as well as to receive and send text messages while in a conversation. When a child answers the home phone, his greeting should include the name of the residence as well as identify him as the speaker; for example, "Hello, Smith residence, this is Daniel speaking."

Being a Good Guest

When a child is a guest in the home of a friend, he should be sure to politely greet and converse with his friend's parents. He should remember common courtesies as well as good table manners. A well-mannered child will also look for opportunities to help contribute to the household in which he is staying. Before leaving, the child should thank the family for their hospitality.

References

• A To Z Of Manners And Etiquette: Manners And Etiquette For Children
• Child Development Institute: Helping Children With Manners
• Rudebusters: Kids' Etiquette
• Advice With Dr. Dave And Dr. Dee: 10 Basic Manners For Kids
• A To Z Of Manners And Etiquette: Table Manners For Children
• A to Z Of Manners And Etiquette: Kids Telephone Etiquette

Resources

• Manners Matter USA: Manners And Etiquette Training Kits For Children
• The Natural Child Project: How Children Learn Manners
• Tanner's Manners: Social Skills That Shape Futures And Prevent Bullying