GROWING up, children were often obedient and kind, earning the admiration of adults.
However, those days seem to be behind us and kindness and good behaviour are no longer the norm among modern children.
How did we get here? What is the problem and who’s responsible? Mainly, it’s the parents!
Good etiquette is not just about following rules; it’s about developing important social skills, such as communication, empathy and self-awareness.
All curricula emphasise the importance of good etiquette, but it’s equally essential to reinforce these values at home to ensure continuity and consistency.
So, what are some of the top etiquette lessons to teach kids?
First and foremost, it’s essential to teach kids respect for teachers and peers.
This means addressing teachers with respect (e.g., “Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss”), listening attentively, and treating peers kindly.
- Blanket Mine revenue rises 37%
- ED challenger nabbed
- Sunday word: Identifying ‘mother of earth’s abominations’
- Frontline Kids plots surprise reunion
Keep Reading
Active listening is another crucial skill to teach kids.
Encourage them to maintain eye contact (well that differs with cultures), avoid interrupting, and ask thoughtful questions.
Personal space and boundaries are also vital to teach kids.
They should learn to respect others’ personal space, avoid pushing or shoving and understand boundaries.
Table manners are an important aspect of etiquette to teach kids.
Practice good table manners, such as using utensils, saying “please” and “thank you”, and not talking with their mouth full.
Time management and punctuality are also essential skills to teach kids.
Teach them the importance of arriving on time, meeting deadlines, and managing their time effectively.
Additionally, teach kids the value of apologising and forgiving.
Encourage them to apologise when they’ve wronged someone and practice forgiveness when others apologise to them.
So, how can parents teach kids good etiquette?
First, it’s essential to model good behaviour.
Kids learn from what they see, so make sure to model good etiquette yourself.
Practice role-playing with your child to help them develop their etiquette skills.
Encourage empathy by talking to your child about how others might feel in different situations.
Set clear expectations for behaviour and etiquette, and consistently reinforce them.
Finally, praise good behaviour by positively reinforcing good etiquette when your child exhibits respectful and considerate behaviour.
