Key Phrases That Teach Children Manners

Manners are something that
we all want our kids to have and something which can be very elusive to teach.
We all know a well-mannered child when we see one but it can be difficult to
identify exactly what it means for a child to have good manners, especially
at different stages of development and in varying social circumstances. While
there are many different things which go into learning manners, these are the
basic phrases that your child should be able to use appropriately in any situation
to have the basics of good manners:

Please

Please is right up there
with “thank you” just because kids tend to learn them at the same
time. We say please when we would like to ask someone to do something for us
because we’re acknowledging that they don’t have to do it and we
appreciate in advance that they will. This one isn’t as easy as “thank
you” for kids to learn because there’s that stage where “please”
can be used as a ploy. Kids sometimes don’t understand that a “pretty
please” doesn’t mean that they’ll get what they want. But
if they at least learn how to ask politely, they’re chances are greatly
improved.

I’m Sorry

Kids who are able to acknowledge
that they have done something that they shouldn’t do – either accidentally
or on purpose – and to apologize for their actions are generally viewed
as having good manners. Learning cause and effect in this way takes some time
but teaching your kids to say “I’m sorry” when they’re
in the wrong starts them off on the right foot.

Excuse Me

This one is said in different
ways, of course. If a bodily function accidentally comes out in an inappropriate
place, “excuse me” is the right response. If a child wants to interrupt
a conversation, “excuse me” makes it okay for him to do so. And
if a child needs to reach something or go somewhere where others are in the
way, saying “excuse me” lets other kids know that the child is coming
through. In all of these instances, the child is learning that sometimes humans
collide with each other in the real world and “excuse me” helps
to, well, to excuse that.

There are lots of little
things that your kids will learn over time to exhibit their good manners. Manners
specific to the table or to engaging in conversation will come with time. Appropriate
behavior and rituals related to manners will be a useful part of their social
development. But getting the basics down really does just mean learning these
few key phrases and the right times to say them. 

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