Manners Activities for Kids

Parenting is a full-time job. In addition to keeping your child healthy and safe, you must teach him proper behavior and manners. Unfortunately, many people lack manners. In fact, according to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, lack of good manners is a growing problem in classrooms and playgrounds. There are ways, however, to teach manners to your child that may be enjoyable for both of you.

  1. Playing Games

    • Playing games is a simple way to teach manners to a young child. Sit down and play tea party. Ask your child to please pass a cup, and show your child proper behavior. Another game is a manners board game. Get a piece of cardboard and draw squares. Write a good manner, such as saying thank you, or a bad manner, such as interrupting, in each square. Roll the dice and go around the board. When you land on a good manner go forward two spaces. Go back one space when landing on a bad manner. This game reiterates the fact that bad manners are not acceptable.

    Role-Playing Activities

    • Engage in role-playing activities. Pretend you are calling your child on the phone. Your child must answer the phone properly. Act as if you are having a real conversation and role-play with your child. Alternatively, act out other real-life scenarios, such as greeting a friend at school or going to the store. Role-playing teaches your child about proper manners and behavior in a creative way that utilizes real-life situations.

    Arts-and-Crafts Activities

    • Some arts-and-crafts activities can teach manners. Make puppets together and act out both good and bad manners. Alternatively, make a face out of paper plates. Trace the child's hand on construction paper and cut that out. Tell the child to glue tissue on top of the nose on the plate and glue the hands on the tissue. This teaches how you are supposed to cover up when you sneeze, which teaches basic manners without lecturing the child.

    Reading

    • Read books together. Ask questions about the characters. Point out bad behavior. Read different stories showing both good and bad manners displayed by characters. Ask your child why a certain character displayed bad manners. Encourage him to think of ways the character could have used good manners. Spend time reading books at least two or three nights a week. In addition to learning manners, your child will develop an appreciation for reading.

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