Teaching Children's Proper Table Manners and Etiquette

When your kids demonstrate proper table manners, it can be a matter of pride for you as a parent. However, children don't just learn table manners on their own-they need to be taught and reminded of how to properly use table etiquette.
Teaching table manners must be done in an age appropriate way. Don't expect a toddler to properly use utensils, for example. However, you can teach a toddler not to throw food.

It may take several months to get your children to develop new and nicer table manners, but it can be done.

Here are some simple tips that you can follow.......

• Teach your child to wash his hands before meals.

• Instill in your child proper etiquette to say "excuse me," "please" and "thank you." Set the example by using the words yourself .

• Correct a toddler when he throws food.

• Instruct your children in the proper use of utensils.It is enough that a toddler knows a spoon is for soup and a fork is for vegetables. Older children, however, should be shown how to hold and use utensils properly.
•  Children are naturally messy eaters  Show them how to chew with their mouth closed and never to talk with food in their mouth. 

• Explain to your children that it is polite to wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat.

• Tell your children that you expect them to say, "May I please be excused?" when they are done eating and wait for permission to leave the table rather than simply getting up and leaving the table whenever they feel like it.

Teaching children table manners is not something that you all of a sudden "do." It's a process that takes time. You'll have the best results if you start teaching table manners while your child is still using a high chair.

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