Give your child a good start in life by teaching them how to be mannerly, especially at the table. Remember, good manners are hardly ever noticed but bad manners are. Even if you have been teaching your little one all about their ‘please’ and ‘thank yous’ since they could speak, it doesn’t mean that they will be experts by the time they reach the age of about seven or eight. In fact, at this stage they will need to be taught other more age appropiate ones.
Here are five ways to teach your big kid how to act appropriately at the table.
To use their knife and fork
Your little one should be able to hold their knife and fork in each hand without much hassle so now is the time to get them to use their cutlery properly. First show your kids how you to do it then let them try. It may take a bit of getting used to but practice makes perfect, so praise every time they give it a go.
Not expressing negative comments about the food
Teach your child that it is not ok to negatively express their dislike towards something on their plate. Talk about how it is rude and not nice. Tell them it can, in fact, hurt the feelings of the person who made the dinner. So long as they have at least given it a try, tell them that it is ok to push the offending food to one side.
How to behave in other people's houses
Make sure your little one knows how they should behave when they are in someone else’s home, even if you are not there. Teach them about offering help, clearing away plates and to say thank you to the chef once the meal is finished.
Technology on the table
No phones on the table – this one goes for mums and dads too. Turn off the TV and have sociable conversation among the family. Not only is this mannerly, it also helps your child with communication skills and gives them time-out from all electronic appliances.
Manners to remind them about
Even if your child has been taught manners since they were small, they could probably do with a bit of a reminder. Remember, no elbows on table, eat with mouth closed, no talking when they have food in their mouth, say please and thank you when given and finished dinner and when done to ask to leave the table politely.
