Part One:  It’s Elementary my Dear, Please and Thank You

Part Two:  Excuse me, did you just Interrupt Me, Again?

Part Three:  May I have Your Attention Please?

Part Four:  Sharing Makes you Caring

Part Five:  The Technology Tango

Part Six:  The Family Table

Part Seven:  Going Out and About

 
Part One:  It’s Elementary my Dear, Please and Thank you

1.  Most children already know please and thank you, this is the most elementary of good manners.  It is often learned by watching and listening to parent interactions or by parents gently reminding children to use them.  By three years old it can be a habit for them.  If it isn’t, then start working with them today!

2.  While we touched on it above, children learn an amazing amount from watching their parents.  Especially in the very early years, they watch and mimic your behavior, even the words that you use.  The best thing you can do for your child is to be the person that you want your child to become.  There is simply no substitute for teaching by example.

3.  When your child is little you need to decide as a family what kind of manners you want your child to have.  Make a plan.  Do you want them to be able to behave well in the home?  How about when you go out?  Finally, do you want them to be able to dine with Heads of State or feel comfortable in any business situation as an adult?  When you make a list of the character building traits you want your child to possess, then you can start behaving that way too.  Don’t forget to be age appropriate, your three year old won’t be able to be too formal.   

4.  One of the things that’s key to teaching good manners is a sense of humor.  Your child will not learn everything you want them to overnight.  They will not respond well to nagging, they will respond well to gentle reminders.  Just when you think your child has got it all down pat, they will completely forget something.  This is when your sense of humor needs to kick in, mixed with a heaping portion of patience.