Setting The Foundation Of Good Manners And Great Social Skills For Your Children

You would have made sure that good manners and social skills were a part of your children's upbringing. IF, you knew that one day you would be embarrassed by their behavior. Teaching your children to be mannerly and respectful should begin in early childhood - starting with the old standards of "Thank you", "Please" and "May I". By encouraging them to be polite and respectful and to treat others as they would like to be treated; you will be instilling a sense of value early in life that will sustain them well into adulthood. Good manners and Great Social Skills do not end with "Thank you, Please and May I". Children need to be taught everyday good manners and proper dining skills. Here are five suggestions that will help re-enforce the behaviours that you want your children to learn and practice: 1. Act in the fashion that you want your children to emulate; because they will copy your behaviours. 2. Family meals are important; they help to build closer family bonds and give you an opportunity to teach them proper dining skills; they also encourage conversation that will give you more insight into areas and practices in which your children are involved. 3. Encourage them to participate in setting the table and cleaning up; this will signal to them that they need to be helpful and caring. Family meals should be engaging and cheerful; providing memories they will take with them into future dining experiences. 4. Use some of the time you spend with your children to introduce them to acts of graciousness such as, not speaking ill of others or participating in gossip - because these acts are not positive and could be very hurtful to others. 5. Teach them the importance of learning to play games fairly and to accept the fact that they cannot win every time. Of course losing is not easy, but it is a part of life's lessons; explain that throwing a tantrum because they did not win or get their own way would not change the outcome. You can help them to be a gracious by adopting a positive attitude and shaking hands with and congratulating the winner. These activities will indeed take planning and time, but the end result will be more well rounded and mannerly children of whom you will be very proud.