Teaching Children Good Manners, Grace, and Courtesy

Teaching Children Good Manners, Grace, and

Courtesy

Cathleen Haskinswww.montessoriwise.com

Table and Food Manners

Language for Respect

and Kindness

Social Manners

Teaching Methods• Direct Teach• Role Play• Real Life Situations• Puppetry• Modeling• Songs and Poems• Picture Books


• Language• Skills


Saying yes please, orno thank you

• Teacher to assistant, “Would you like to have a cracker?”

• Assistant, “Yes please.”

• Pause and repeat, this time assistant replies, “No thank you.”

• Offer each child a cracker.They reply with yes please, or no thank you.


Wait foreveryone to be served before youbegin eating.


May I have... • Make sure your mouth isn’t full

• Raise your hand

• Say, “May I have (another apple slice), please.”

• Don’t forget, “Thank you.”


Using a napkinAt the table:• Give each child a napkin• Invite children to place

napkin on lap.• Demonstrate how to use

by dabbing the corner ofthe mouth.

• Return napkin to lap.• When finished, place napkin

next to plate.

Cloth vs. Paper Napkins

Or This


Mirrors for self checking


Chewing with your mouth closedNot talking while chewing food

• At snack assistant asksthe teacher, who has food in her mouth, a question.

• Teacher points out she is eating and waits until she is done to reply.

• Explain to children.


Feeling full

• Place utensils and napkin on plate or table.

• “That was delicious, but now I’m full.”

• “I am satisfied, thank you.”

Table and Food MannersBurping etiquetteCircle Time/Role Play

• Take a sip of water.

• Force yourself to burp,covering your mouth.

• Say, excuse me.”

(About giggling…)


Removing food crumbs from the table

Crumbing Activity

Elbows off the table

Fingers off the food

Ask for something to be passed

For reaching is so rude.

New School Table Manners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcZYQt1gUhY

Award-WinningElizabeth Verdik

Toddler Board Book

Carrie Finn

3-5 years

Karen Lefranc

5-8 years

Mike Nawrocki

2-6 years

Stan & Jan Berenstain

3 years and up

Aliki

3 years and up

Norman Bridwell

3 years and up

http://www.amazon.com/Excuse-Me-Lisa-Kopelke/dp/0689851111/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334001686&sr=1-3

Language for Respect and Kindness

Teaching children

to affirm oneanotherGive children an opportunity to affirm eachother. Make time for affirmation sharing.

“I like the way you do that.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“ You are so helpful (kind, generous, peaceful).”

Language for Respect and KindnessWhen someone mayneed help:

“Are you Okay? Can I help you?”

About repetition.

Language for Respect and KindnessWhen someone is havingtrouble or is sad:

“What’s wrong?”

“Is there anything Ican do to help?”

• Teach the word compassion.


When a child wants to join an activity:

“May I join, please?”


When the answer is no: “Not right now,thank you.”

“Maybe anothertime.”

“I’d rather be alone, thanks.”


Asking for a turn

“May I have a turn, please.”

Waiting for a response


When a child needs assistance:

“Can you please help me?”


When you didn’t hear something:

“Excuse me?”

“Pardon me?”


When a child has returned after beinggone“I missed you.”“Everybody missed you.”“I’m glad you’re back.”“It’s better when you’re here.”


Encouraging gentleness:

With a young child, stroke their arm and say softly, “Gentle, gentle please.”

Demonstrating with a small animal works well to teach this lesson.

Tone of voice.


Speaking softly

• Silence Game• Use a Radio or CD Player


Lending (or sharing) something:

“Would you like to borrow (my book, this toy)?

“Yes, that would be nice.”

After receiving the item, “Thank you.”


Asking for something back

“Are you finished with my book?”

“May I have my book back, please.”


Showing Regret or Remorse:

• Look the person in the eye.• Speak slowly“I’m really very sorry.”“What can I do to make it up to you?”


Asking for the teacher (adult’s) attentionwhen he is busy:

• Is the teacher with someone?• Is the teacher working on something?• Stand nearby, but not too close.• Wait until the teacher gives eye contact.

Teaching about eye contact


“I’m sorry to interrupt, but …”

Language for Respect and KindnessWhen another child is busy:• Is the child with someone?• Is the child working on something?• Stand nearby, but not too close.• Wait until the child turns and gives eye

contactto speak.

“Excuse me…”

Social MannersBlowing your nose:T

• Pull tip of tissue to get a tissue from the box.

• Fold tissue in half.

• Cover nose and blow.

• Fold tissue and dab nose.

• Throw tissue in bin.“Today I’m going to show you how to blow your nose.”

Social MannersSneezing and

coughing:• Look away and down.

• Move away from food.

• Cover mouth with tissue and cough.

• Dispose of tissue.

• Or, sneeze into elbow.“Today I’m going to show you how to sneeze.”

Social MannersDealing with gas:

Simply say, “Excuse me.”

Or, move away if you can.

Social MannersPolite yawn: Cover your

mouth.

Use a quiet

voice.

Social MannersPutting others first/after you:

“After you.”

Social MannersAsk or answer aquestionin circle time:

• Stay seated.

• Make no sound.

• Keep your hand below• You head.

Social MannersLining up:

“As quiet as a deer in the woods.”

“Be like a butterfly.”

Social MannersClosing a door quietly:The teacher stands at the door, and whispers the children's names. When the child hears his name being called, he will rise up and go to the door and open the door as silently as he is able.

Social MannersClosing a drawer carefully:You will need a small chest of drawers.Invite children to listen and watch closely.

• Place both hands on knobs and gently pull open.• Put both hands, fingers flat, against the open• drawer.• Push gently and slide the drawer back in.

Documents

Teaching Children Good Manners, Grace, and Courtesy