Activities That Teach Good Manners

In an environment of movies depicting "mean girls" and the rudeness in many reality shows, children need to learn and practice good manners to succeed in life. Parents and teachers engage in a variety of activities that teach good manners to young people on a daily basis.

  1. Role Playing

    • Children learn by doing. Create scenarios with your child in which you and the child assume various roles and enact stories or situations that require choices concerning proper manners and treatment of others. Enjoy a tea party where you send out invitations, welcome guests into your home, practice proper table etiquette. Exaggerate the manners part so much that you giggle and truly are having fun. Incorporate subtle signals or "secret words" that you use to remind your child to remember her manners while at a real restaurant. For instance, if your child is putting her elbows on the table, instead of reprimanding her, say, "Marsha and I had the best tea party last week. We will have to invite you next time." Your wink at your child may remind her to put her hands in her lap and save any embarrassment.

    Writing Notes

    • Oprah Winfrey has said that teaching manners to their children is one of the most important things a parent can do. One responsibility parents have is to make sure your children say "thank you." Children can start writing thank-you notes at an early age by sending grandparents and other people who give them gifts a photograph with their names or a simple heart drawing on the backs. Older children will enjoy selecting or making their own stationery on which to acknowledge gifts. Parents can incorporate etiquette lessons over the years as they encourage this type of correspondence.

    Modeling Behavior

    • Researchers at Brigham Young University's School of Education have said that adults are continually teaching young children by their actions. Consider your own activities as you attempt to teach good manners to your children. Say "Thank you" to others. Treat other people, including yourself and your children, with respect. Remember that the heat of the moment may not be best time to drive home the lesson. Try to teach lessons like apologizing during times when anger and emotion are not running high. Tell stories or read books where honorable characters realize their mistakes and say "I'm sorry. Forgive me."

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