I only have a few minutes to write this morning, and there’s a lot more that could be said on the subject. The best way to teach manners is to pretend like I described in the earlier post on practicing life. But there are some other ways to slip manners instruction into the nooks and crannies. One fun way is to grab a manners book and read one rule or anecdote at the supper table. Two that kids enjoy listening to are:
You can click on the images for more information on the books. When I remember to read a chapter, the kids often beg for one more. It’s fun to hear about manners when you aren’t being corrected at the time.
Another fun way to review basic manners is in the game, Mind Your Manners.
Christian Book.com has the best price on this one, but if you have a swagbucks giftcard to Amazon, click on the photo to use it on this game.
A fun way to learn to set the table is to make a game mat by tracing around a place, fork, knife, spoon, napkin and glass in the appropriate places on a large sheet of paper. Then draw the same objects on a spinner. Each person takes a turn with the spinner adding the items to their mat as they land on it. If they land on something they already have, they lose that turn. The winner is the player who completes their place first.
I’ve also seen families use the game mats for placemats at every meal, laminating them for durability. Then when a young child helps set the table, they have a blueprint for placing things correctly.
Counting Bunnies Too made super cute quilted placemats for this purpose and has instructions on her blog. If you make one, flip the knife over so the blade is facing the plate.
If sewing isn’t your thing Nick, Jr. has printable placemats to use for this purpose.
Thanks for this post! When my son was little, I would just threaten him to act a certain way or say certain things or else. For my next child, I’d like to use more tact and technique. I’ll check these books out.
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Thank you for this. I would like a post on sibling spats or how to help siblings get along. I have an 18 month old and almost 5 year old that fight 95 percent of the time they are together and my husband and I are both ready to pull out our hair! We realize the 18 mo is too young to understand a lot and he is the instigater (SP?) with most like taking away toys from his sister, pulling hair, scratching…but how to I teach both of them at the same time?
LOL. I guess I’ve been setting my knives wrong all this time – just like the quilted placemat!
wow, love seeing that manners are taught to some kids. As a public school teacher at the middle school level, manners are seriously lacking in todays world. The manners in gerneral are horrible but at lunch in the cafeteria, it is sickening….. Thanks for giving resources that can be used…
The absolute best way to teach your kids manners is to use them yourself! I can’t tell you how many parents I know say, “Say thank you!” and then are rude (or silent) themselves. Show how grateful you are when someone does something kind, thoughtful, or helpful and children will learn naturally to express their gratitude.
Holly, you are so right! Thanks for pointing that out.
Thank you for this post. I challenge myself to teach our daughter her manners by setting the example.
The placemat idea is good, but the one you pictured shows the knife blade facing away from the plate. To be correct, the sharpest edge of the knife should always face toward the plate!
The knife blade should point in! Thanks.