How to teach your children to behave in public
From ArticleWorld
To teach your children to behave in public is not a very difficult task if you start their lessons when they are toddlers. Most parents today think that children’s manners are worse now than they were when they were children. In order to respect themselves children need to learn to respect their parents first and since manners and respect are complimentary they have to be learnt together. It is never too early to start teaching good social manners to your toddler, as soon as he/ she is able to communicate and understand is good time. Here are some tips to let you get started.
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A few suggestions
- Practice what you preach and be the role model that the child will look up to. If you use polite language in the house and the child grows up listening to it he/she will need very little coaxing to start using it too.
- The first few polite words to teach your toddler as soon he/she learns to speak is to say the magic words – ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Teach it to them through a game, ‘what do you need to say now?’ or ‘what is the magic word that Elmo uses’, generally sets the ball rolling.
- Explain the rules of good behavior before setting forth on a social outing. Repeat them and ask the children to repeat them to you, so that there are no mistakes.
- Explain too them that it is the extreme of bad manners to interrupt when two elders are talking and that it is more respectful to address elders by their last names.
- Explain in no uncertain terms that throwing of tantrums in public will not be tolerated at all.
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Do’s
- Be sure to appreciate good behavior and reward them with hugs and small gifts.
- Prompt a child with a question when they forget, like – ‘what is the magic word you are supposed to say now?’
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Don’ts
- Don’t lose your patience and don’t be disturbed by setbacks. They are children and they will take time to learn.
- Never reprimand a child in public this would signify bad manners on your part.