Manners are a great way to teach nannusays how to act and behave. It is one of those things that can help develop a culture of kindness. Manners are taught by parents to prevent any unnecessary conflict or embarrassment. In this article, we will explore ways you can teach your kids about manners in a fun and interactive way. There are many activities you can do to teach your child some manners without being overbearing or boring them.
What are manners?
Manners are our mannerisms and behaviours that are considered appropriate or not appropriate for any given setting. These manners include expressions and gestures, handshakes, salutations, and even how we address our guests.
What are “right” manners?
There are five basic human “basic manners” that every citizen should follow:
- Be considerate to others
- Speak to others in a polite tone
- Welcome strangers, including strangers’ children
- Remain calm in conflict situations
- Be courteous and polite when parting ways
How to teach kids manners
So, how can you teach your kids manners? You can start by helping them master a simple greeting like the following one. All you need is a camera.
In your kid’s school, you can teach them basic manners like the following.
How to teach your child about manners
Here are a few parenting tricks to help you teach your kids manners:
Bribery. You can use some sort of ‘bribe’ to help teach your kids manners. For instance, you can make a deal with your kids. You will give them ice cream if they smile and say please. It works.
More negotiation. There are many situations where it is essential to negotiate. You can do this for manners as well. For instance, if you child’s favourite food is pizza, then can you also buy him some t-shirts and socks?
Situation-specific activities
You can use fun activities that would be helpful for specific situations. For instance, you could teach your child how to say “please” in a situation where pizza is not available. Or you can teach them how to behave in a restaurant when there are too many noisy kids around.
The four pillars of manners
The manners pillar is very important to teach your children. That is why we have listed below the four pillars of manners in order to help guide you through the process. They are:
Kindness – Kindness and gentleness will benefit your children from a very young age. It’s important to communicate kindness to your kids before anything else and before they even need it.
Listen – Communication is the only way we can develop a connection with each other. Remember, you are the role model for your children. When they are not getting your attention, they will look to you for confirmation.
Respect – It is all about respect. It is also all about being a good example. A good role model is someone who behaves correctly and goes the extra mile for others.
Make them a part of daily life
Starting off with just a simple “please” or “thank you” is a great start. These small things can help guide your child towards good behavior. Ask them if they can get you something or say “goodbye” if they leave the house. Show them how they can give someone their seat on a bus or train or how they can help a person carrying a large bag or heavy packages.
We all love doing things for others but giving out too much of what we have can make us feel needy and to not take care of others is rude and impolite.
Don’t use the word “should” when talking to your children
This is a word that is not just made-up by parents but it is also made-up for children. We teach them that “you should” or “should not” do something. Don’t teach them to use this word.
Make an effort to correct their behaviors
This may sound obvious, but it is the one thing most parents don’t do and they do something they believe their kids already know. Make it a point to correct their behavior if they are crossing the line by starting a sentence in a rude way or letting out a cuss word. Also, if they are leaving a mess somewhere make sure to call them out on it. This will help them become conscious of their actions and why it is not right to do so.
Allow them to get grounded
Being grounded means taking away their phone and electronics for a period of time. You can do this for your older kids, or even for your young one. For example, you can tell your child that they can go out to a friends house, but they can’t use the phone and computer. That is usually sufficient for most young kids.
Create a culture of kindness.
Take the time to teach your nannusays the art of being kind to others. Respectful behaviors are teachable. They are important for building a reputation as a person who respects others and treats them with dignity and respect.
Some kids may be shy when they first start to go to school, but they will soon realize the joy of being able to relate to their peers and play. Even if your child is shy or hesitant, try to involve them in activities where they will get to interact with others, such as team sports, participating in the classroom, etc.
You can also take them to school or events where they get to interact with others. Take them shopping with you or other parents so that they get to see others and get used to seeing them.
