Manners showcase the personality of kids, but good manners set them apart. Teaching good manners from early childhood nurtures them into becoming good individuals in life.
This article highlights 10 good manners every child should develop.
Why Teaching Good Manners to Kids Is Important
Teaching good manners to kids is important for the following reasons:
- Helps build positive social relationships with peers, teachers and family.
- Inculcates essential life skills like empathy and respect, necessary for the future.
- Boosts confidence in social settings.
- Helps avoid conflicts and promotes peaceful resolution of issues.
- Creates a positive impression on others.
Top 10 Good Manners Every Kid Should Learn
Saying “Please” and “Thank You”
Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ might sound simple yet they are effective. Adding please while asking a favour or requesting a person makes it more genuine and valuable. While thanking someone after taking their help reflects gratitude. These words highlight respect, kindness and politeness.
Greeting Others Politely
Greeting teachers and parents with ‘Good Morning’ or friends with a simple ‘Hi’ fosters healthy relationships. Addressing elders respectfully promotes social warmth. Encourage children to have a smile during conversations and teach them how to introduce themselves when meeting new people.
Sharing with Others
It is often said that sharing is caring. Encourage children to share things with those in need. For instance, feeding bread to stray dogs, lending an extra pencil to a friend or sharing knowledge. These acts promote kindness and help children experience the joy of giving.
Apologising When Wrong
Teach kids to say a simple ‘sorry’ when they hurt someone with their actions or words. It works like magic and shows that they are responsible and aware of the mistakes they have made. It teaches empathy, helps in reducing differences and builds emotional awareness.
Table Manners
Teach children important table manners like eating with one hand, not talking while chewing, and waiting their turn at the table. Habits like chewing with their mouth closed and using a napkin help them behave politely and confidently in social settings.
Listening Without Interrupting
Encourage children to listen without interrupting, as it builds patience and attentiveness. It allows them to understand others’ feelings and perspectives better. This habit builds stronger emotional relationships and helps them in becoming more thoughtful and empathetic in conversations.
Respecting Personal Space
Make kids aware of boundaries and respecting others’ privacy. Habits like touching others’ belongings without permission, understanding when someone needs alone time or avoiding standing too close foster respectful and healthy interactions.
Using Indoor Voice
Encourage appropriate voice levels based on environment and situation. It shows respect for shared spaces like libraries, classrooms or others’ homes. Therefore, encourage children to adjust voice levels accordingly to promote calm interactions.
Taking Turns
Whether it is talking in a conversation, while playing games or giving others a chance to use public property, taking turns builds patience, fairness and respect for others. This habit fosters cooperation and strengthens social bonds from an early age.
Saying “Excuse Me”
Teach children to say ‘excuse me’ to politely get someone’s attention, pass by others or when interrupting a conversation. It reflects respect and politeness while cultivating considerate behaviour in social situations.
Fun and Simple Ways to Teach Manners
- Narrate stories that highlight good manners.
- Play role-playing games like acting out real-life situations to promote good behaviour.
- Appreciate when they display polite and appropriate behaviour.
- Use visual representations that show good behaviour.
- Practice table manners during daily meals.
- Be a role model, as kids learn by observing.
Activities to Practice Good Manners at Home and School
- Starting the day with a ‘Good Morning’ greeting.
- Encouraging kids to make thank-you notes for kind gestures.
- Practicing table manners during family dinners.
- Reading stories with characters displaying good manners.
Conclusion
Good manners for kids shape character, improve relationships, build character and create a respectful future generation. Parents and schools must teach kids good manners from an early age to help them grow into kind and respectful individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most important manners to teach kids first?
Greeting people with a smile, saying ‘sorry,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘excuse me,’ table manners, listening without interrupting, taking turns, respecting personal space, keeping surroundings clean, and sharing with others are the most important manners to teach kids first.
How can I teach manners to a toddler in a fun way?
To teach manners to a toddler in a fun way, read storybooks about good manners, use rhymes with words like thank you and please, appreciate them for good behaviour, and set a role model by displaying good manners.
How do I reinforce good manners without being too strict?
Reinforce good manners by modelling good manners yourself, praising them when they show good behaviour, telling short stories where characters display manners, and correcting them gently.
Can schools help teach manners alongside parents?
Yes. Schools offer an environment for children to practice good manners, with teachers modelling good behaviour and setting routines like standing in line or greeting teachers.
What if my child forgets to use good manners in public?
If your child forgets to use good manners in public, remind them in a gentle way and correct them immediately without scolding or panicking.