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Parents devote a significant amount of time to teaching their children proper behaviour. Most parents do this teaching by doing things, such as saying thank you, over and over again. However, etiquette, like everything else, must be taught to young children, and parents must take appropriate measures to raise their children how to be polite and graceful, particularly when doing so is tough.
In order to excel in social circumstances, good etiquette and manners are required. It’s frustrating to watch your youngster struggle with fundamental manners, but if you’re patient and consistent, you’ll see gains in no time. It is necessary to remind youngsters why these things are significant in order for them to recognize their worth. Remember that they will ultimately collect these etiquettes and manners, even if they appear to be struggling now.
Etiquette and manners
Manners are polite behaviours that reflect an attitude of consideration, kindness, and respect for others. Etiquette refers to the customary code of polite behaviour within a society, social class, or group, whereas manners are polite behaviours that reflect an attitude of consideration, kindness, and respect for others.
A courteous person remembers his “Please” and “Thank you,” and never interrupts others during a conversation. Good manners have a form or structure, which etiquette gives.
Good etiquette and social manners are important life skills that benefit everyone’s personal, social, and emotional development. It is best taught when a child is young because it plays such a vital role in their growth. A child with good manners and etiquette will naturally grow into a confident and respectable adult with strong social and communication skills.
Good manners enable a child to get along with others, which is critical for his bright future. When a youngster is liked by others and it is enjoyable to be around him, he will achieve better in life. As a child begins to form social circles and continues to expand his social circle, the numerous encounters necessitate the development of proper manners as well as the development of understanding of others and compassion for others.
The following are basic manners that should be taught to children from an early age:
1. Polite Expressions
Even if a child is only a toddler, it’s never too early to teach him polite words like “please,” “thank you,” “sorry” and “excuse me.” When a toddler hears these nice words enough times, he will automatically take them up and learn to use them. Polite language is never overdone, and it will help your youngster grow into a fine young gentleman or woman.
2. Behaviour that is commendable
Good words are accompanied by good actions, such as waiting in line, not interrupting people when they are speaking, giving up seats for those who are in need more than you, and holding the door open for others. The aforementioned are important manners to establish in your kids early in order for them to develop into lifelong habits.
3. Showing Others Respect
Respect is a manner of treating people, animals, places, and objects with care and consideration. We often determine how someone will treat us based on how we treat them. It is simpler to get along if we are kind and respectful of one another. Early on in your child’s growth, teach him the basic rule of tremendous respect.
4. Personal Hygiene
Discuss the importance of maintaining good hygiene and dressing appropriately for the occasion with your child. Brushing teeth twice a day and washing hands before each meal are two examples of proper hygiene.
5. Proper Table Etiquette
Children, especially those who are beginning to use utensils, have a natural predisposition to eat in an ugly manner. As parents, we must provide good instruction and demonstrate to our children how to eat without making a mess. Good table etiquette is important for everyone and is best acquired at a young age.
Why is it important to teach good manners?
Assisting young children in developing acceptable, courteous, and considerate behaviour helps them develop etiquette and be more socially aware as they grow older. Working as a family to establish the norms for excellent manners in a variety of scenarios makes it easier to develop first-class child behaviour. There are numerous advantages to teaching excellent etiquette to young children. Every parent enjoys hearing how nice and respectful their children are from other parents, teachers, or their own parents.
For Example
- If their child picks up the phone, parents who teach their children how to answer it politely are unconcerned.
- Parents of well-behaved children are unconcerned about taking their children on fun outings to their friends’ homes.
Strategies To Improve Your Child’s Etiquette
- Demonstrate the behaviour you want your child to imitate. Children closely observe their parents and frequently strive to imitate their actions.
- Discuss the importance of etiquette and politeness with your youngster. When parents use an example to illustrate their concept, it is more effective. Like – ‘It broke my heart when your friend came over to our house and didn’t say hello to me,’ for example. I felt overlooked, so remember to say hi to everyone in the house when you go over to someone’s house.’
- At home, practice appropriate etiquette and manners.
- Role-playing Challenging Situations– Parents can push their students to participate in role-playing for a few specific behaviours that they don’t get to practice very often in their daily life. Role-playing allows children to put their skills to the test. It’s a good tactic to use when you’re in a new environment or when you’re dealing with a difficult situation.
If your 5-year-old has wanted to invite you to his or her birthday celebration, role-play how to open presents with grace. Assist your youngster in practicing how to thank others for their presents and how to react when they receive a gift they don’t care for.
“What would you do if…”, sit down with your youngster and see what they have to say. Assume to be a friend or another person to see how your child reacts to different scenarios. Then, give criticism and assist your youngster in learning how to be kind and respectful.
- Use the television and other media to your advantage – Use the tv and other audio-visual media to your advantage. Parents can engage with their children and assess how the characters on the screen behave. Parents should attempt to bring out the character’s manners and etiquette, as well as the impact they had on the setting and other characters. When children watch challenging behaviour on television, parents might urge them to consider what else they could have done instead of partaking in the challenging behaviour.
- Ensure that meals are shared at the dinner table. It will assist parents in modelling and practicing good mealtime behaviour for their children. It will also give children an opportunity to practice social skills.
- Slow down and urge your youngster to put what they’ve learned into practice. Every social environment is different and might be overwhelming for a child. Encourage your youngster to engage in acceptable behaviour and to recognize and celebrate minor victories.
- Praise your child for his or her good manners– When you see your youngster practicing appropriate manners, praise them. “Great job recalling to say ‘thank you,'” you could say to a young child. Praise older children for putting their phones away at the dinner table or shaking hands when introducing someone new. If you have a younger child, give immediate praise. “You did a fine job thanking Grandmother for that present,” you say. But don’t make a teen feel self-conscious by appreciating them in front of others. Instead, have a private discussion with them about how much you admire their politeness toward people at a family function, or compliment them on how they handled a store clerk contact.
Also read: Children can be Taught Values in a Variety of Ways
FAQs:
What do you mean by the etiquette?
Etiquette refers to the customary code of polite behaviour within a society, social class, or group, whereas manners are polite behaviours that reflect an attitude of consideration, kindness, and respect for others.
What are some of the basic manners?
Polite Expressions, Showing Others Respect, Personal Hygiene.
What is the role of television and other media to help in developing a child's behaviour?
Parents can engage with their children and assess how the characters on the screen behave. Parents should attempt to bring out the character's manners and etiquette, as well as the impact they had on the setting and other characters. When children watch challenging behaviour on television, parents might urge them to consider what else they could have done instead of partaking in the challenging behaviour.
