Teaching Table Manners

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

Any tips on how to teach basic table manners to boys ages 4 and 6?

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

lol. how do they eat?

 

[Mayzoo]

Family meals with constant, consistent reminders.

 

[white dove]

Modeling, encouragement and repetition. Make sure you make them aware of the expectations, then reinforce that expectation.

 

[tturt]

went to an Italian restaurant and a customer sucked several strands of his spaghetti at a time which was so disgusting. Kids decided they didn't want to look like that. That mental image is still with me. But it was a great motivator - purely by accident but very effective.

 

[Darkhorse]

Kids decided they didn't want to look like that.

Excellent teaching opportunity!

Tell your kids that manners exist to help others be more comfortable; they will understand it now.

 

[JCFantasy23]

Family meals with constant, consistent reminders.

Pretty much this. Persistent, patient reminders will eventually drill it into their heads.

 

[Messy2]

Any tips on how to teach basic table manners to boys ages 4 and 6?

Put a plate with food in front of them with a knife and a fork I think. Or go to the Mac.
If you want them to sit still and straight up, stay when they're finished and such, I've got no idea, since I don't care about that.

 

[jargew]

If you figure it out, let me know, because I sure can't !

 

[Meleas]

My parenting group actually has a Q&A on this very subject with a book author next saturday. you can message me to get the link

 

[keith99]

Modeling, encouragement and repetition. Make sure you make them aware of the expectations, then reinforce that expectation.

I would add start with stressing what is important and also things you can give a reason for. Insisting they ask someone to pass something instead of standing up and leaning over their siblings plate is a good example.

Save the things that are only custom for last, not in the modeling, in the insisting on.

Of course learning that mom is more apt to say yes to a second helping of desert is asked politely does not hurt either.

 

[Johnnz]

Modeling, encouragement and repetition. Make sure you make them aware of the expectations, then reinforce that expectation.

That's it in a nutshell.

John
NZ