How do you teach table manners?
Kenny Davis
2025-08-03 20:02:20
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You should teach table manners to kids under age 3 — especially how to say “please” and “thank you.” If you don’t, you’re going to have to unteach bad behavior later on. But once your kid hits preschool, his attention span expands and he’s better at following directions. To sit at the table — really sit, no wiggling or wandering around — for about 15 to 30 minutes. To wait until everyone is seated to start eating. How to use a napkin, first show your kid how to place it in her lap when she sits down, next show her how to use it to wipe her mouth and replace it on her lap. Once you’ve explained the basics, just say ‘napkin’ — your kids will know what to do without things getting negative. How to chew with his mouth closed, take a bite of food and chew with a wide-open mouth so your kid sees all the mashed-up food, ask, ‘Is this grossing you out, that’s why we chew with our mouth closed.’ It explains the rules in a light, fun way. The polite way to ask for food: “Please pass the potatoes” rather than “I want more potatoes.” Not to make comments like “Yuck!”, preschoolers often don’t understand the concept of hurt feelings — so just tell your child it’s not nice to say bad things about the food, have her say: “I don’t really care for this.”
Rick Gutkowski
2025-07-25 08:58:32
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We drill manners all the time - eat with your utensils, don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t drop your food all over the place, take small bites.
Anais Hahn
2025-07-15 19:30:09
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Teaching table manners is definitely a work in progress—especially as kids grow and start mastering new skills. For the younger crowd, it’s all about the basics, like using a napkin and chewing with their mouth closed. But as they get older, they’ll need to fine-tune their manners, particularly when it comes to social situations. So, as your kids develop, make sure you’re keeping pace by introducing new table rules to match their age and maturity. By laying down the right groundwork at each stage, you’ll help them approach mealtimes with confidence and consideration. Table manners are tools that can keep eating and mealtimes as pleasant as possible.
10 table manner rules to teach children
Wash your hands before eating.
Put your napkin in your lap at the beginning of the meal, and don’t forget to use it.
Pull in your chair, sit up straight, and keep elbows (and feet!) off the table.
Wait to begin eating until everyone is seated and served.
Use proper utensils to eat, and cut your food into bite-sized pieces.
Ask your neighbor to pass an item on the table rather than reaching across their plate to get it.
Chew with your mouth closed, and don’t talk with food in your mouth.
Be an active and considerate participant in the conversation.
Ask to be excused before leaving the table, and clear your plate.
By setting clear expectations and offering gentle reminders, you’re teaching your kids that good manners matter—not just during meals, but in every part of life.
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