Get your child noticed for all the right reasons! Good and pleasant etiquette in a child is such a wonderful trait in modern society and mastering these simple manners for kids will assist you in how to raise a grateful child.
Here are 40 good manners for kids, that every child (and adult!) needs to know.
Start Teaching These Good Manners for Kids
Manners about more than just saying “please” and “thank you” – although those are essential! Kids should also know how and when to interact with their peers, family and other adults.
We’ve made a list of 40 essential manners for kids to work on at home and in other situations – let us know how you get on!
General Manners in the Home
1. Say “Please” when asking
2. Say “Thank you” when receiving
3. Show respect for others and elders
4. Let others finish before you speak
5. Don’t use bad language
6. Ask permission before touching or taking things
7. Respect your own and other people’s property
8. Return things you have borrowed from others
9. Consider other people’s privacy. People need their own space but also consider their possessions.
10. Clean up after yourself. Help your family out by keeping your room, bathroom, and general areas as tidy as possible
11. Use polite phone protocol.
12. Write “thank you” notes. This is nice when you receive gifts or presents from people.
Practice Manners at Mealtimes
13. Be polite when someone serves you
14. Put away technology at mealtimes and conversations
15. Listen and don’t interrupt when people are speaking
16. Understand the silverware code! Start with the cutlery on the outside and work your way in.
17. Use a napkin and try not make a mess at mealtimes.
18. Close your mouth when eating and chewing – nobody wants to see the contents of your mouth!
19. Ask to be excused before leaving the table
20. Don’t forget to clear your plate and clean up after yourself.
Having Guests in Your Home
21. Open the door for others and greet people with a smile
22. Shake hands and make eye contact when greeting someone
23. Offer to serve people who enter your home
24. Offer to take their coat or facilitate them with a seat
25. Stand up when an elder enters a room
26. A hug or a kiss for a close relative or grandparent is often appropriate
27. Don’t forget to introduce people in your home to visiting guests.
Being a Guest
28. Don’t visit unless you have been invited or agreed that it’s convenient to do so.
29. Don’t assume you can stay as long as you want – establish a time limit.
30. Permission is needed from both parents/guardians if you want to stay over.
31. Offer to help out and assist when you are a guest in someone else’s home.
32. Clean up and tidy after yourself. This is especially true if you are staying in someone’s home for a few days.
33. Don’t forget to say “thank you” at the end of your stay. It would also be nice at this point to reciprocate and invite the person to your home.
Don’t Miss…
Would like your child to be more independent? This list of essential life skills will stand them in good stead for years to come.
General Manners Out and About
34. Say “excuse me” when bumping into someone
35. Don’t put your feet up on seats on public transport or indeed in anyone’s home
36. Put away your rubbish in a bin when out and about. Don’t expect someone else to clean up after you.
37. Offer your seat to an elderly or physically impaired person when in a public place or travelling on public transport.
38. Consider your use of mobile phone when in a public place – don’t disturb other people.
39. Consider the noise level of your portable music when out and about – keep the noise level down.
40. Be kind to the elderly and open the door for them
About the Author: Louise Kerrigan
