Teach Children to Practice Social Etiquette

Have you thought about becoming a parent or teacher? Are your hands tied in regard to encouraging your children or students to do the right thing in a social setting? Children require proper guidance to grow up to become adults who conduct themselves with good manners and consideration for other people when they are in public. You will learn numerous tips you can apply to teach your children to practice social etiquette.

One important lesson to teach your children is the value of sharing. If there is a point when you are in the presence of two kids and one has a toy he or she refuses to share with the other kid, do something. For example, you could say, “Billy, it is mean and hurtful to not share some of your items with others; furthermore, you feel better about yourself when you do something nice to help others. Please share your toy with Johnny for a while.”

Another important lesson is to teach children not to tattle on others just for the sake of it. If a child tells you another kid called you a mean name, you could say, “Susan, Bobby has not caused any harm even if he did call me a name behind my back. You should not tattle on others if they have not caused any harm and you cannot prove they did what you are accusing them of. You should not be a tattletale just to get someone into trouble.”

Teach children not to hit or throw things at others. If you are a teacher, tell your students, “You must always keep your hands and feet to yourself. It is also wrong to throw things at others.”

Encourage your children to not yawn or belch in an obnoxious manner. Let them know it is good etiquette to cover your mouth while sneezing, yawning and belching and subsequently say, “Excuse me.”

Teach your children to be careful about spitting, scratching and picking their noses. If your child spits on the sidewalk, you should say, “That is nasty. You should only spit on grass or into a toilet or trash can.” If your child picks her nose or scratches herself in front of you, let her know she must only do it when no one else is looking at her.

Encourage your kids to not slouch. Tell them it is good etiquette to sit up in a straight manner.

If you are a teacher, discourage your students from butting in front of others in a line. Teach them to not call other students names.

Follow these tips to teach your children social etiquette!