Teaching good manners to children is very important. Not only are good manners a way to show respect, but also for the child to earn respect. 

Techniques for Teaching Good Manners to Children

Positive reinforcement: Look for the good in what your child has done and build from there. If you use negative reinforcement (calling the child a slob or some other condensing name) you will only cause hurt feelings and this is not an environment for learning. 

Be a role model:  Children will pick up exactly what you don’t want them to say and use it perfectly at exactly the wrong time.  Your example is the best teacher for how to act appropriately. 

Don’t lecture: Tell him/her what she did wrong, but do not turn it into a long lecture.  It is better to show them how to act appropriately. 

Be consistent: It is important that good manners for children are well understood. Being okay sometimes will only serve to confuse the child. Do not leave it up to the child to know when that right time is …that is the adult’s job. 

Approach teaching manners as a game: Kids love to play and making something fun will make the child a willing participant in learning good manners for children. 

Make the child part of the family traditions: Allowing the child to be part of the big events, and displaying her manners, will give her a feeling of being proud when all the adults compliment her. 

Eat out for dinner: Let the child know this is a reward for him displaying his good manners and an opportunity to show everyone his manners. 

What to teach

Waiting his turn: This is to teach the child patience and the beginning of respect for others. Up to now, he has been the centre of the universe. This is the beginning of the child realising he is part of society. 

Not interrupting: As important as the child believes what she has to say, it is essential that the child begin to learn the techniques of listening and allowing others to have their say. 

No name calling: This is a lesson learned from what you do as much as what you say. It is important to teach the child at a young age that name calling is not acceptable. Allowing this to go could lead to bullying. 

Cleaning up: This is a way for the child to show respect for both his parents and his things. It also gives the child a sense of responsibility. 

Please & thank you: The “magic words” as some people have termed it, is usually one of the first things taught as the child begins to understand the importance of manners. 

Taking compliments courteously: Teaching the child how to take compliments in the correct way is so important.

Good sportsmanship: As the child starts to participate with others, be it in sports or some other competitive endeavor, it is important that the child understands how to be both a good winner and good loser. In the case of winning, the child needs to react with class and respect for the opponent. In losing, the child must learn to see ways to improve as a team and individual. 

Respecting differences: This is key to the child allowing herself to have the opportunity to learn from cultures that are perhaps outside of her norm. Teaching the ability to be open minded is important. 

Table manners: When people think of teaching manners, most think of teaching table manners.   This is a long process as there is a lot involved.

Back talk: Teaching the child to respect his elders is the important lesson. Nothing can cause a situation to unravel faster than back talking by the child to a parent or other adult supervisor. 

Trips to the bathroom: Teach your child to let you know she needs to go to the bathroom without making a grand announcement. In addition, teach your child not to go to the bathroom just because it is fun to go but only when she really needs to go.

Teaching Good Manners to Children 

Teaching good manners to children is very important. Not only are good manners a way to show respect, but also for the child to earn respect. 

Techniques for Teaching Good Manners to Children

Positive reinforcement: Look for the good in what your child has done and build from there. If you use negative reinforcement (calling the child a slob or some other condensing name) you will only cause hurt feelings and this is not an environment for learning. 

Be a role model:  Children will pick up exactly what you don’t want them to say and use it perfectly at exactly the wrong time.  Your example is the best teacher for how to act appropriately. 

Don’t lecture: Tell him/her what she did wrong, but do not turn it into a long lecture.  It is better to show them how to act appropriately. 

Be consistent: It is important that good manners for children are well understood. Being okay sometimes will only serve to confuse the child. Do not leave it up to the child to know when that right time is …that is the adult’s job. 

Approach teaching manners as a game: Kids love to play and making something fun will make the child a willing participant in learning good manners for children. 

Make the child part of the family traditions: Allowing the child to be part of the big events, and displaying her manners, will give her a feeling of being proud when all the adults compliment her. 

Eat out for dinner: Let the child know this is a reward for him displaying his good manners and an opportunity to show everyone his manners. 

What to teach

Waiting his turn: This is to teach the child patience and the beginning of respect for others. Up to now, he has been the centre of the universe. This is the beginning of the child realising he is part of society. 

Not interrupting: As important as the child believes what she has to say, it is essential that the child begin to learn the techniques of listening and allowing others to have their say. 

No name calling: This is a lesson learned from what you do as much as what you say. It is important to teach the child at a young age that name calling is not acceptable. Allowing this to go could lead to bullying. 

Cleaning up: This is a way for the child to show respect for both his parents and his things. It also gives the child a sense of responsibility. 

Please & thank you: The “magic words” as some people have termed it, is usually one of the first things taught as the child begins to understand the importance of manners. 

Taking compliments courteously: Teaching the child how to take compliments in the correct way is so important.

Good sportsmanship: As the child starts to participate with others, be it in sports or some other competitive endeavor, it is important that the child understands how to be both a good winner and good loser. In the case of winning, the child needs to react with class and respect for the opponent. In losing, the child must learn to see ways to improve as a team and individual. 

Respecting differences: This is key to the child allowing herself to have the opportunity to learn from cultures that are perhaps outside of her norm. Teaching the ability to be open minded is important. 

Table manners: When people think of teaching manners, most think of teaching table manners.   This is a long process as there is a lot involved.

Back talk: Teaching the child to respect his elders is the important lesson. Nothing can cause a situation to unravel faster than back talking by the child to a parent or other adult supervisor. 

Trips to the bathroom: Teach your child to let you know she needs to go to the bathroom without making a grand announcement. In addition, teach your child not to go to the bathroom just because it is fun to go but only when she really needs to go.