How do you teach etiquette in a fun way?
Alyson Monahan
2025-06-10 08:09:17
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Children love to play so why not turn learning manners into a game. Try activities like: “Manners Bingo”: Create a bingo card with different polite behaviours. “Role Play Relay”: Act out scenarios like “meeting someone new,” “receiving a gift,” or “eating at a friend’s house.” Not only does this make learning engaging, but it also reinforces behaviour through action and repetition. The family table is one of the best places to practice etiquette in real time. Teach your children to: Wait until everyone is served before eating Use “please pass the…” and “thank you” Sit properly and eat respectfully Engage in polite conversation. You could even host a “family fancy dinner night” where everyone dresses up and practices full table etiquette. Teach Conversational Skills Step-by-Step. Teach them: How to greet someone To make eye contact and smile How to listen without interrupting Ways to politely disagree. Use fun prompts like: “Let’s practice introducing ourselves like we’re at a birthday party.” “Pretend we’re at church and meeting a new family. What would you say?” Include Digital Etiquette: Not interrupting Zoom calls or lessons Saying “hello” and “goodbye” in online classes Using respectful language in texts and group chats Not oversharing or being unkind on social media. Celebrate Good Manners When children display good manners, celebrate them. Praise the behaviour, not just the outcome. Instead of: “You’re such a good girl!” Try: “I really loved how you said thank you without being reminded. That was thoughtful and respectful.” Use sticker charts, certificates, or even a “Manners Champion of the Week” title.
Karine Stark
2025-05-31 07:03:53
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The little codes of honour between surfers can really rub off on your kids and a few hours learning to surf can teach them good manners without them even realising. You realise, without being told, that the whole business of enjoying the waves works by people respectfully working together. Because you're in the water and in the moment, it doesn't feel like some moral lesson, just a way of learning how to get along with others in order to have a good time. Really, that's all that manners are for, isn't it? You'll also find that surfers tend to be a very forgiving and encouraging lot. That not only bolsters children's confidence, it also shows them the value of being compassionate and respectful to others.
The value of taking care of things also teaches children the value of taking care of things – again, without any lectures. It's always going to feel better when you start off with a clean, dry wetsuit, and that's a great reason for rinsing it out and putting it in a good drying place when you get home.
Cynthia Strosin
2025-05-31 05:49:51
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Educating your children on manners is the perfect opportunity for bonding and will also create the impression that using proper etiquette is a fun experience. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and imaginative ways in which you can instil these basic but essential skills. Manners Charades is one way to do this, where as a family, you quickly spend a few minutes noting down some actions that demonstrate good and bad manners on separate pieces of paper. Another activity is Manners Collage, a creative activity that requires some large pieces of paper, or A4 sheets stuck together, scissors, glue and magazines, where you look through some magazines and old newspapers together and try to spot some examples of people demonstrating good manners. You could also try Please and Thank You Pictures, where you set the children the task of drawing situations where the phrases ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are necessary. The Please and Thank You Game is another interactive approach, where you quickly jot down a few sentences which need the words ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ to complete them, and then ask the children to show the side of the paper with the correct phrase on. The “What Would You Do” Game is also great for the whole family to join in, where you gather a list of circumstances which may require a polite or helpful interaction, and each person should read the scenario on their card and try and think of as many possibilities that will improve the situation. Reverse Roles is another game that explores manners at the dinner table, where the adults must take on the role of the ‘children’, and the children must name what the bad manner is and advise on what they should have done instead.
Arne Koch
2025-05-31 04:15:26
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Manners can be fun. Students love learning about them. In fact, these activities make it so fun, they will not even realize they are learning basic social skills. You can adjust the activities accordingly to every grade level.
Engage with them and let them call out their answers. You want to make sure they are open-ended questions. You do not want your students to answer with a “yes” or “no”.
Manners Activity # 1 Practice Conversation Skills is one of the most requested lesson plans within Manners To Go. You can have questions prepared ahead of time or you can create them in the moment. Remind them a conversation is like playing tennis. One hits the ball and the other returns it. Having a conversation is a back and forth situation.
Manners Activity # 2 Practice Ordering in a Restaurant offers many teachable moments. You can set a table up in your classroom. Ask for 3-4 children to volunteer. Take them through the steps.
Manners Activity # 3 Writing Thank You Notes is an activity that you can do weekly. Feeling and experiencing gratitude is so uplifting for both the writer and receiver. Thank you note writing is a very important step in learning good manners.
Dasia O'Reilly
2025-05-31 03:37:17
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Model etiquette.
You are your child’s first teacher.
When you model daily conversations conducted in a polite manner, you demonstrate how to treat others and your child will imitate that behavior.
When playing together, practice taking turns and saying “please” and “thank you” during your play.
Saying, “May I please have a block? Thank you.” teaches your child polite behaviors in an age-appropriate setting.
Role play polite behaviors.
Games like “Fancy Restaurant” involve imagining yourselves eating in an upscale dining establishment.
Take it to the extreme by dressing up for the occasion, setting a full place setting at each spot on the table, and of course practice courteous mannerisms, polite dinner conversation, and perfect table etiquette.
Introduce polite greetings, by pretending to go to the doctor’s office.
Model through your play, what to do when you greet someone.
Then switch roles, so your child can practice the same skills.
Read books about manners.
Many children’s books feature social skills and manners.
Reading these together and talking about the behaviors demonstrated by the characters provides opportunities for children to learn from the mistakes and accomplishments of others.
Jaylen Murazik
2025-05-31 02:27:09
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Lead by example, this is my number one recommendation. It is my desired teaching method for any age and any topic, quite frankly. Your children are watching your every move, so you never know what they will pick up as it pertains to good manners and etiquette. Explain the “Why” Children want to know why, why do they need to behave like this at the table, why do they have to say “excuse me” when they need something from someone. Take this time to explain that good manners and etiquette are a way for us to display our awareness, kindness, and respect of and to others. Have your children set the table, the repetitive activity of setting the table will help them remember the proper way to do it. Write thank you notes on a regular basis, thank you notes are a fabulous way to teach your children how to show their appreciation and perform an act of kindness. Speak about manners as superpowers, instead of simply teaching your little ones to use please, thank you, and excuse me or that they should put their napkin on their laps during their meals, speak about manners as if they were superpowers. Incorporate books about manners into reading time, a few of my favorites are: The Elephant who Finds Empathy, The Eti-Cats, Madeline says Merci, Connoisseur Kids, Table Talk: A Book About Table Manners, 52 Modern Manners for Kids.
Vita Adams
2025-05-31 02:07:14
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Lead by Example: Children often mimic the behaviour of adults, so be a role model by demonstrating good manners in your interactions with others. Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise and encourage polite behaviour, such as saying please and thank you, to reinforce good manners. Role-Play Scenarios: Practice polite responses in everyday scenarios like ordering at a restaurant, meeting new people, or resolving conflicts. Play Social Games: Board games, card games, and group activities can help children learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, and taking turns. Use Stories and Media: Share books, movies, or TV shows that feature characters with good manners and discuss their actions with your child. Correct Gently: When children make mistakes, correct them calmly and provide alternatives.
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