Guest Author - Kelly Aveiro
If you want good manners and polite behavior to be part of your child's character, then you must instill these habits in them from a young age. Good manners begin at home and you are your child's primary role model.
Here are 6 important areas to concentrate on when teaching your child good manners.
1. Start With The Basics.
Make "please" and "thank-you" part of your daily vocabulary. Don't be afraid of saying "I'm sorry" or "excuse me" when necessary. And of course, don't forget to teach your children to do the same. These simple gestures will dramatically improve the atmosphere of your home and encourage cooperation amongst family members.
2. Instill Good Eating Habits and Table Manners.
Good eating habits and table manners are vitally important life skills. Developing these skills will help your child to feel confident in social settings. Good table manners would include knowing where to put all the utensils in a table setting, chewing food with your mouth closed, using the proper utensils etc. Good eating habits would include not overeating, having one helping of dessert rather than three or four, drinking slowly rather than gulping and so forth.
3. Teaching Your Child How To Give & Receive Appreciation.
Teach your child how to express appreciation to others for what they do with a simple thank-you or even a written note or small gift. And teach them to how to graciously receive acknowledgments and appreciation rather than contradicting or minimizing any kind words from others.
4.Teach Him How To Communicate Negative Feelings In A Respectful Way.
Learning to express negative feelings and frustrations in a respectful way can improve family relationships more than any other step you can take. Swearing and name-calling should be off limits because they only increase the conflict. Use 'I' statements rather than 'you' statements to express your feelings. For example "I feel angry when you don't complete your chores," rather than "You are so lazy. You do nothing around the house."
5. Teach Your Child To How Be Considerate And Respectful Of The Needs Of Others .
You can do this by teaching him to pick up after himself, to take the garbage out, to wash and dry dishes that he has used and to volunteer to do small tasks that help a home run more smoothly. Teaching your child to take care of shared living space is a wonderful way to instill in him a consideration for the needs of others.
6. Teach Your Child the Little Extras That Make All the Difference.
Things such as opening the door for another person, knocking on bedroom and bathroom doors before entering, greeting guests with a smile and knowing to to make pleasant conversation by talking to others about their interests are all the little extras that make a great difference.
Polite behavior and good manners need to be a part of your daily life. In this way they become a part of who your children are. Put these six tips into practice and enjoy the compliments you're sure to receive about your well mannered child.
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