Children and Manners

There was a time when manners were a part of what your child learned in school, but in this day of student testing, there are not enough hours in the school day. While manners are still expected by teaching staff, it falls to the parent to teach their child good common sense manners. Good manners are necessary for people to live together, and in the South, gracious manners are a must.

You begin teaching manners to your child at birth. Teaching your child to respect others is the beginning of teaching good manners. Respect for others requires your child be sensitive to other people’s needs. Sensitivity is one of the most valuable qualities you can instill into your child, and it begins in infancy. In our society, we tend to teach children to be assertive. Being assertive is healthy but should not override politeness and good manners.

Teaching your child to use polite words should begin with early language acquisition. Begin with please and thank you. Even if he/she really does not understand the graciousness of the words, the intent will soon be learned.

Modeling good manners is very important when teaching your child eto be southern gracious. Your child learns from what you do in your daily life. Let your child hear a lot of “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse me” as you interact with people throughout the day. Be sure to speak politely to your child beginning in infancy.

I once read that children should not interrupt adults when they are talking, but not a word about interrupting the child. Remember to respect your child, and not interrupt him/her in the same manner. Respect goes both ways. You must respect your child as a human being as you would anyone else. Teach your child how to graciously get someone’s attention and you model to same with him/her.

Teach your child to address those he/she communicates with by using the person’s name. This will go a long way in the work arena, later in life. Teach sharing when with others at play. Good manners include sitting at the table until excused, or asking to be excused, using napkins and utensils appropriately, and chewing with mouth closed.

Children are polite when they are brought up in an environment that expects good manners. So… Parents expect good manners from your child.