Manners and etiquette are essential. Manners and etiquette are not some random set of rules to drive us all crazy but a respect for those around us and ourselves. It should be our honor to treat those around us with respect and kindness. The general idea of manners is not a strict sense of stuff rules that include holding pinkies high while sipping (not slurping) tea. That’s etiquette. Seriously, while there exists some stuffy rules like where to put a spoon or how to eat soup, it truly serves as guidelines as how to show respect. Let’s face it, we don’t want to raise little animals that snort and use the table as a leg rest.
I find the most effective way to teach manners and etiquette is through consistency and some fun game play. The trick is to make our actions intentional and a habit. Sitting quietly at the dinner table with a napkin in your lap should be as natural as brushing your teeth in the morning. When we develop manners and etiquette as habit it is no longer a chore or a strangle hold around our natural inclinations.
With preschoolers, we teach manners and etiquette in small bits making each step a habit before moving on to another habit. For instance, saying “thank you” should be intentionally taught until the child manages to say it on her own properly. Once that is accomplished then pick another manner to focus on. In the meantime, you can reinforce other proper habits through fun play like tea parties, playing store, or restaurant. Use puppets or stuffed animals to teach how friends treat one another. Children develop habits through play so always correct your child if she displays rudeness with a doll or puppet. It may seem silly at first, but play sets the stage for real life.
You will always being teaching your how to behave whether you are intentional or not. Keep that in mind as they watch you conduct yourself.