How do you teach table manners?
Anais Hahn
2025-07-15 19:30:09
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: 12
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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