How to Teach a Child Good Restaurant Behavior

Your youngster is old enough now to sit in a regular chair at a restaurant. Gone are all the tools that were available as a toddler -- no high chair, booster, bib or accommodating server to pick up after your child. It is time for him to learn how to conduct himself in a public venue, so it is up to you to prepare him well for this experience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Play "restaurant" at home. This activity will not only teach your child how to conduct himself in a restaurant atmosphere but will also expose him to food variety and service vocabulary. Teach your child the same basics as you use at home -- placing a napkin in the lap, remaining in seats during meals, using flatware instead of fingers and saying "please" and "thank you" as needed. Turn off the television and ban cell phones and other electronics at the table so you will have their full attention and the family can converse without interruption.

    • 2

      Review and discuss the expected behavior before entering a restaurant with your children. Be sure all of your children are clear on how they are expected to conduct themselves. This can be done before leaving the house or even in the car on the the way to the venue. There may be different levels of expectations depending on the ages of the youngsters. Consequences of unruly behavior or insubordination must also be brought to their attention.

    • 3

      Choose restaurants that cater to children for your first experiences. Having necessary items such as coloring pages and paper activity menus to keep them occupied while waiting to order or receive their food will keep them from disturbing nearby diners. Demonstrate how to unfold a cloth napkin and place it in the lap, show them which pieces of flatware to use with each course and teach them how to order their food choices effectively.

    • 4

      Be especially cognizant of the noise level of your child. Nearby diners do not wish to have their conversations interrupted by shrieks and screams of an unhappy youngster. Teach your children to use their "inside" voices while dining and to engage in only quiet activities such as coloring while at the table. Make it very clear that engaging in activities such as throwing food, shouting at each other or using bad language will result in immediate removal from the restaurant.

    • 5

      Enroll your child in an etiquette class if you feel he needs additional instruction from an objective instructor. A good teacher can provide training that will aid your child for a lifetime of luncheons, dinners and other social events. Children's etiquette consultant, Margaret DelVecchio, featured in a 1995 NY Metro Parents article, states that parents are beginning to understand that "manners are not just for show. They are truly who you are and they have to be practiced every day."

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