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~ Buy the Book Now ~

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Dear Parents,

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all that was required to teach children to be kind, respectful and considerate was to teach a set of manners, or social skills, as we call them? Children do need to learn the “magic” words, basic table manners, greeting and introduction skills, and all the other manners we think of when we talk about etiquette.  That’s for sure!  But etiquette is about more than manners; it’s also about building good relationships. So children need to learn the behaviors that help them act in ways that are respectful, considerate, and honest—the fundamental principles of etiquette.

While these principles are too difficult for a toddler to understand, a child this age is developmentally ready to learn some basic behaviors that will help build strong relationships.  Most three year olds, for example, are able to understand that sharing and caring make other people feel good. They know this because they can see the smiles that sharing and caring bring.

A smile is concrete.  Your toddler can see the results of positive behavior in your smile.  And he or she can identify with the feeling he or she gets from making someone else smile—it makes him or her smile, too.   It will take much patience, repetition, and good modeling on your part to teach your toddler to share and care.  It’s well worth it, though. You will be raising a respectful, kind, considerate child!

—Cindy and Peggy