Dinner Etiquette Rules for Children

Appropriate Words

• The first step to more pleasant dinner meals is to outline exactly what words your child needs to say. Instruct your child to say "please" if she would like seconds or if she needs help cutting her food. Remind her to say "thank you" when you've helped her with those tasks. If she accidentally burps at the table, make it a rule that she needs to excuse herself rather than giggle. If your family says grace before you eat, require that your child say the words along with everyone else and to wait to take her first bite until after the prayer, recommends Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post, authors of "Emily Post's Table Manners for Kids."

Conversation

• The dinner table conversation at the homes of children across the country can turn toward potty humor and boogers. While these are certainly amusing to most children, they aren't things you want to discuss at the dinner table because it's rude and unpleasant. Instead, turn the conversation to more appropriate topics such as what your child did at school that day or what he wants to do on the weekend, according to a CBS News report. Share what you did with your day, as well. You might also challenge your child to think of three places he wishes to visit someday or ask him what he's thinking of putting on his birthday list. Not only do these kinds of conversations strengthen your bond with your child, but they are acceptable to discuss while you're eating.

Behaviors

• As you eat dinner with your family, model good manners. Show your children how to chew with their mouths closed. Also teach them to swallow their food before they talk, which will help prevent them from spitting food on the table. Demonstrate how your child should put his napkins on his lap and move food from his plate to his mouth without making a mess. Teach your child to drink neatly, too. Ask your child to go to the bathroom if he needs to blow his nose, belch or pass gas. Depending on your house rules, you might also ask your child to take his hat off before eating and to keep his toys off the table during dinner.

Getting It Done

• In addition to modeling the kind of behavior you want from your child, you should sit her down and explain the rules. Regularly remind your child what the rules are because she isn't going to change her ways overnight. You might try ignoring her when her manners aren't up to snuff. For example, if she demands that you pass the pasta, ignore her and wait to respond until she remembers to ask nicely. Be consistent and stick to your rules. Over time, your child will remember how she needs to behave at the table and do it without being prompted.