In most families, dining time with children under 5 is sure-shot a messy event but the good news is, teaching Table manners for kids can be easy and fun.
Table manners are applicable to everyone. Table Manners aren’t just about saying please or thank you; it is about showing kindness to other people at the table. Whether you’re eating at home or dining out, Good Table manners for kids is extremely important.
When you teach your child good etiquette, you are preparing them for social interaction which will be very useful for the rest of their lives.
Proper etiquette is a matter of character. Practicing good manners prepares your child to be patient, confident, capable and everyone will appreciate and respect them in social situations.
A child’s table manners reflect his age, maturity, and parenting. While age and maturity will come with time but table manners will need practice.
Pre-schoolers are eager to learn new things and are also quick learners. If your child struggles don’t pressurize, teach your child one manner at a time and don’t overwhelm them.
It is important to remember that kids learn by watching elders, so you can be your child’s best role model. Make sure to practice good table manners at the table, let them mimic you and practice.
The right time to guide them begins at home when they start eating themselves using a spoon or baby fork. The goal is to put them into a habit which will certainly take time so you have to make sure you do not have to pressurize them, instead guide them to the behaviors you want them to adopt.
So here are a few basic ways and tips which can help you to teach them GOOD Etiquettes
Every meal serves as an opportunity where you can teach table manners for kids such as how to exercise proper etiquette such as using cutleries properly, waiting until everyone has been served, etc.
Kids can learn how to be respectful and have good table manners by daily practicing and following instructions. Parents need to be patient and consistent in their efforts and instructions so that they can get the hang of things.
Show your child how to pray before every meal and explain to them that starting the meal with a blessing or prayer is the way of showing appreciation to god.
Make sure you as a parent set a few things like keeping a positive attitude, good table manners, loving interactions with other family members etc which will help you to create a good mealtime environment in which your child wants to be a part.
Ask your child to help you set the table. Teach them how to set utensils, cutleries, ask them to bring some napkins and show them where to place them etc.
Teach your child to wash hands before eating, explain to them that clean hands will keep them healthy. Cleaning and following proper hygiene while eating is the basic Table manners for kids as it shows respect for the person who prepared the meal as well as others at the dining table.
Teach them to wait at the dining table until everyone is seated and served. Also, tell them the reason that it is considered disrespectful to eat before everyone has been served and seated. Telling them the reason will help them follow religiously.
Gently remind your child a few rules while eating like chewing with mouth closed, not talking while the mouth is full, taking small bites, never wolfing down food, putting the fork down between bites, no noises like burping or slurping, etc.
Some of these important rules of good table manners for kids will help them to follow good etiquette.
Another rule you have to teach your child is to say “Thank you” to the person who has prepared the meal and anyone serving them. If they need more food or want something; they should politely ask someone sitting beside them to pass it. They should follow the request with "Please." and then “Thank you” to the person who passes it.
With exceptions to a few foods like pizza and hamburgers or any finger foods, teach your kid to use age-appropriate forks, spoons and knives. Show them Table manners for kids such as how to hold these cutleries while eating.
Also, teach them to place a napkin on their lap before eating and also remind them to use it when wiping their hands or mouth instead of their clothes.
Parents should teach their children to refrain from criticizing the food instead should be grateful for the food served and appreciate the efforts that went into preparing it.
Make sure that you do not pressure your child to eat if they don’t like some food.
Teach your child that mealtime is the time to enjoy the meal with your loved ones. It's the time to connect with those you are dining with, it won’t be possible if they are glued to phone screens or watching TV.
Another important Table manner for kids is that they should remain at the table until everyone has finished or politely ask permission to be excused in case they have finished and others are still eating food.
Remind them to get up from the dining table by pushing their chair back against the table.
Teach your child that they are responsible to put the cutleries in the sink after eating, emptying their plates and putting leftovers into the trash.
When implementing these rules, remember that your child will not learn them all at once. They will make mistakes, you need to have patience and teach them one manner at a time. Don’t overwhelm them as by regularly practicing things they will adopt these habits. Your child will learn slowly just work on improving them.
Good Table manners for kids is an important aspect that every child should learn as it is part of family daily mealtime rituals and it is about being respectful, grateful and showing gratitude toward the meal. It will help your child to have confidence in social situations.
Children aren’t born with manners, they develop good manners over time under the guidance and leadership you provide.
Make sure to use a low-pressure approach during daily instruction and follow it consistently as they would get hang of it with regular practice.
So what Table manners for kids do you think every child should have and what are your ways to teach them? Do let us know in the comment below.
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