THE GOLDEN RULE OF PARENTING:
Always behave the way you want your children to behave.
Table Manners for the Four to Seven Year Old
What you can expect…
- Sit at the table with family
- Help set and clear the table (with assistance)
- Participate in table conversation
- Use table utensils
- Serve and pass dishes
- Chew with the mouth closed
The relevant manners…
- Asks to be excused
- Is quiet during grace
- Participates in conversation during the meal
- Uses utensils and napkin
- Stays at the table until done
- Sits up (doesn’t drape over the table)
- Chews with mouth closed
- Doesn’t talk with mouth full
What a parent can do…
- MODEL, MODEL, MODEL
- REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT
- Be patient
- Have meals together as a family (good for family and a great opportunity for kids to learn and practice table manners)
- Encourage good posture at the table
- Pick 3 most important table rules or guidelines and focus on those
- Practice at home for meals away from home
- MODEL, MODEL, MODEL
- REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT
See the ‘Fun for Kids’ section to download a placemat for your child to color and to learn to set the table.
From The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children by Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., Collins, 2002
