As a parent, if you think it’s early to teach good manners to kids as soon as they start to talk, then you may want to read this.
One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is to help your kids develop social skills, how to interact in a polite manner with people, and how to treat others with respect.
Nonetheless, kids are never too young to learn these manners. They remember what they are taught with clarity – and their minds absorb everything much faster than they would at a later age.
So why should you teach your kids good manners?
Usually, a child’s rude attitude isn’t always intentional, they don’t just don’t realize some manners are impolite.
That’s why teaching your kids good manners is just as important as you feeding them daily healthy meals.
Besides, good manners can set your child up for success later in life, teach them to be mindful of those around them and help them blossom into better adults.
More so, your kids should be able to apply good manners not only when they are around you, but also when they are on their own.
However, keep in mind that good manners cannot be taught overnight, but can be developed with time.
Here, check out the manners your kids should possess by their 5th birthday, and ways to help them stick.
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How to say “please” and “thank you”
This is one of the first basic manners to teach your child.
As simple as this mannerly behaviour may seem, it can be taught even before your child is able to talk.
The importance of saying ‘please’ when asking for something and ‘thank you’ for receiving gifts should be instilled in their minds.
Also, they should also be taught to say thank you to people who assist or serve them, such as waiters in restaurants – and even parents when they do something for them in the course of their daily routines
Making it a habit in the home will make these manners a habit in life.
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How to cover your mouth when you sneeze or a cough
Kids may forget to cover their mouth when they sneeze or cough.
So every time they cough or sneeze. Make sure you teach them to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough.
Importantly, explain to them it’s essential to cover their nose and mouth because if they don’t, spittle flying around when they sneeze could spread germs to all those around.
Also, that picking one’s nose in public is considered unpleasant.
Make them understand that it is not only good manners but also a hygienic habit.
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How to ASK before taking
Kids should ask before taking something that is not theirs, including their parent’s stuff.
More so, they should learn to always return anything they have borrowed with proper thanks.
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How to say sorry: for real
Your kids should be able to say “I’m sorry” and mean it when they have done something wrong. Not the kind of “I’m sorry” they say because they were forced to say it by an angry parent.
They should also know when and where to say sorry and not use it casually.
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How to say “Excuse me!”
Naturally, kids are very impatient.
Kids need to learn when they can and when they cannot interrupt people. They should learn how to gently say “excuse me,” rather than insist on incessant tapping of their parents.
Also, they should be taught to say excuse me and ask permission to talk.
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Explain chewing etiquette
Teach your kids how to chew with their mouth closed.
It’s important you teach your kids how to chew their food thoroughly in order to ward off impolite gulping and choking.
Also, that it’s impolite to speak with a mouthful.
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How to eat at the dining table
Meal times shouldn’t be a chaos.
Table manners are a must for kids. They should know how to use their cutlery, and how not to talk with their mouths full.
- Not to make fun of people
Young kids are known for pointing out people with flaws in public.
However, parents must teach kids that it is never okay to hurt someone’s feelings by making fun of them in public or private.
It’s not nice to make fun of people or point out their flaws.
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How to be helpful and compassionate
Empathy should be inculcated in kids as early as possible.
Teach them to recognize ways to be helpful and compassionate to others.
Things like asking their parent if they need help with chores, or holding the door open for people who have their hands full.
Not only will this teach them empathy, it will actually make them feel good about themselves and be well liked by others.
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Honesty
Honesty is one of the core values your kids should learn from an early stage in life.
However, the best way to encourage honesty in your child is to be a truthful person yourself and let your child hear you being truthful with other adults.
Another way to encourage honesty is not to overreact if your child lies to you. Instead, help them find a way to tell the truth. Sit them down and explain why it is important, to tell the truth.
Be firm and tell them that honesty is the best policy.
Most importantly, keep in mind that you set the standard. If you want to raise and well-mannered child, the first thing you must do as a parent is to make sure you exhibit good manners in front of your kids – so they can watch and learn from it.
Though teaching good manners to kids may seem like a daunting task, but make sure not to lose patience with your child.
After all, you also have a huge responsibility to understand the importance of good manners in children and make sure your child learns all them for his or her development.
