How to Teach Your Children Table Manners

Post by MamaFiza on October 21, 2008

Happy Tuesday mommies

Wish you were in lovely day.

Today, I’d love to share something regarding to “Toddler & Table Manners“, hope you’ll try these tips with your lil precious in your free time *hugs*

For me, table manners are more than about proper eating, it’s about being kind and considerate of others.

Teaching children table manners is not something that you all of a sudden “do“. It’s a process that takes time.

You’ll have the best results if you start teaching table manners while your child is still using a high chair. Teaching table manners must be done in an age appropriate way.

Please, don’t expect a toddler to properly use utensils, for example. However, you can teach a toddler not to throw food.

Learn to be pro ~ *hoho* Bro KiruaMi-cHan

Go on sis ReiHi-cHan~

Satisfaction from YunaFi-cHan!

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Step by step guide:

Step 1 : Teach your child to wash his/her hands before meals.
Even older infants who are beginning to eat finger foods should wash or have washed their hands before they sit down to eat.

Step 2 : Correct a toddler when he throws food.
Use age-appropriate language such as, “Sorry. We don’t throw food. Let us appreciate our meals, cutie”
You will need to reinforce this over and over, so don’t get frustrated with your child.

Step 3 : Instruct your children in the proper use of utensils. A child’s physical development affects how she holds and uses utensils. It is enough that a toddler knows a spoon is for soup and a fork is for vegetables.
Don’t expect a child that young to hold the utensils perfectly. Older children, however, should be shown how to hold and use utensils properly.

Step 4 : Use good table manners yourself. Children learn what they live.
Say “please” and “thank you” when you ask a family member to hand you the salt or ketchup sauce, for example.

Step 5 : Don’t make any rude comments about any food being served. It will hurt someone’s feelings.

Step 6 : Explain to your children that it is polite to wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat, and then model that behavior for your kids.

Step 7 : Start introducing your children to new foods from an early age. Have your child try a “polite bite” of new foods offered even if the child thinks the food looks unappetizing.
Explain to your child that he may think a food is “gross” but that he should keep that to himself rather than express it verbally to avoid offending the cook; be that mom, dad or a friend’s parent, really the height of bad manners.

Step 8 : Tell your children that you expect them to say, “May I please be excused?“ when they are done eating and wait for permission to leave the table rather than simply getting up and leaving the table whenever they feel like it.

Step 9 : Tell them; “Don’t stuff your mouth full of food, it looks gross, and you could choke. Chew with your mouth closed. My dear, no one wants to be grossed out seeing food being chewed up or hearing it being chomped on”. *this includes no talking with your mouth full*

Notes:

Teach your toddler how to set a proper table. Show them where the napkin and utensils go in relation to the plate or bowl. Instruct them on the proper placement of the glass in relation to the plate or bowl. Once they’ve mastered it, make it their responsibility to set the table as a way of contributing to running a smooth household.

It’s alright to rest an elbow on the table if you’re not actually eating. But, if you’re eating, then only rest the forearm or wrist on the edge of the table. One doesn’t want to be hunched over their food. At formal functions, no elbows on the dining table.

Breakfast

Do remind your lil angel:

Eat slowly, don’t gobble up the food. Someone took a long time to prepare the food, enjoy it slowly. Slowly means to wait about 5 seconds after swallowing before getting another forkful.

When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating a whole piece of bread looks tacky.

Don’t reach over someone’s plate for something, ask for the item to be passed to you. Shows consideration.

Do not pick anything out of your teeth, it’s gross. If it bothers you that bad, excuse yourself and go to the restroom to pick.

Always use a napkin to dab your mouth, which should be on your lap when not in use. Remember, dab your mouth only. Do not wipe your face or blow your nose with a napkin, both are gross. Excuse yourself from the table and go the restroom to do those things.

When eating at someone’s home or a guest of someone at a restaurant, always thank the host and tell them how delicious it was, even if it wasn’t. Again, someone took time, energy, and expense to prepare the food, show your appreciation.

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Wish ya great luck mommies

May Allah swt blessed your sweet family. Amin~

Filed Under Mama's Talk

Comments

ibu_sufi says:

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 10:37 am

Terima Kasih mama sudi berkongsi..

Tips ni bukan sahaja utk anak2 kita, malah mengingatkan saya sebagai ibu dan org dewasa juga..

*Thumbs Up for mama*
uhud80 says:

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 1:16 pm

mama fiza.. nanti selalula update entri2 terbaru.. terutama apa yang dibuat dengan new baby
hanz says:

Monday, March 23, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Mamafiza, thanks for sharing this tips. Useful for adults too.
Etiquette Moms says:

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Thanks for your valuable tips.
Really it is very nice post. I completely support your view.There are most important thing is proper learning of good manners for children. Parents liability is too much important for nowadays.
MamaFiza says:

Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Dear wonderful lady Miss Etiquette Moms

Thank you for visiting our family blog, gorgeous! *hugs*

I’m glad you enjoy reading it as I enjoy writing it >_< You're a good friend. Please take great care, may God bless your sweet family.

Have a nice day, darl~

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