👪 National Children's Good Manners Month

September is National Children’s Good Manners Month. As with many skills taught during childhood years, manners can be instilled early too. Manners include both simple forms of etiquette and courtesy, but also teach responsibility, respectfulness, kindness and more.
Where do you begin? Children learn from their closest role models — their parents, guardians and other family members. You can teach them by your actions, then talk through why you did such and give them ongoing opportunities to practice themselves! 

• Holding the door open for others shows your helpfulness. 
• Instilling table manners, like chewing with your mouth closed, using napkins and keeping elbows off the table, displays respect and responsibility.
• Apologizing to others for your misdoings shows kindness for people’s feelings.
• Saying hello and smiling at others displays friendliness.
• Removing cell phones and other digital devices during family time teaches respect and care for time with others.
• Saying “please” and “thank you” demonstrates gratitude.

Furthermore, with manners and exhibiting gratitude and respect, research has shown that “grateful kids feel happier, do better in school and have lower rates of depression than their less thankful peers.”

😇 WHY MANNERS COUNT

Fact #1: Good manners are a good habit. "Behaving politely is a way of life, not just something you pull out when you're at a wedding or fancy restaurant, "It's important to start as early as you can so manners become something a child does automatically, whether she is at home or away.

Fact #2: Polite behavior will help your child's social development. Kids who aren't taught social graces from an early age are at a distinct disadvantage, say experts. An ill-mannered child is a turn-off to adults and kids alike; while children aren't likely to be offended by a playmate who neglects to say "excuse me," they don't relish the company of a child who doesn't know how to share or take turns.

Fact #3: Learning manners is a lifelong education. "It won't happen overnight, and you need to take it slowly. Introducing one new social skill a month -- teaching your 2-year-old to say "hello" when another person addresses him, for example, and rewarding him with praise when he does so -- makes the process manageable for everyone.

Equally important is keeping your expectations in check. "There's only so much a small child can do.
 That same 2-year-old is not going to curtsy when ancient Aunt Mabel comes over for Sunday dinner. But she can greet her at the door and sit happily at the table for a limited period of time.

Fact #4: Your behavior counts. "That means that when you ask your partner to pass the salt, you do it with a 'please' and a 'thank you, But it goes beyond that. Think about it this way: How would you feel if your child gave a fellow tricycler the finger when he cut her off on the sidewalk? If the thought doesn't thrill you, keep your hands and fingers on the wheel while driving. Inappropriate expressions of anger are rude, too.

Fact #5: Consistency is important. Acquiring good manners takes lots of practice and reinforcement, so make sure that you, your partner, and your caregiver are encouraging (and discouraging) the same behaviors. If your husband lets your kid fling food during meals and you don't, your child won't know what's expected of him.

😇GROSS BEHAVIOR

The nose-picking is definitely the easiest thing to deal with. "When you see her going for her nose, just offer her a tissue," says Thompson. "Don't make a big deal out of it." Toddlers are trying to figure out exactly what they can get away with and what they can't. Showing displeasure may make your daughter want to engage in the behavior even more.

As for the potty talk, you're going to have to deal with it for a while. Saying the words is a way for your child to connect the urge with the act -- and that's a good thing. When she uses the words for shock value, treat the situation the same way you would the nose-picking: In a matter-of-fact manner, ask her if she needs to use the potty. If the answer is no, carry on with what you were doing. Chances are, she won't be as tempted to use these words if she can't get a rise out of you.

Manners are rules for behavior. They change with time and vary from culture to culture. Their purpose is to promote social concord.

Blogger: Egypt Assanti
ESD Baroness
{aka} Big Sister Southern Heat 😇