At a recent tea-time my friends and I had a conversation about Children’s Manners. While some of my friends felt that children (and people in general) have gotten much ruder lately, the general consensus is that the wee little ones take well to manners and etiquette if you teach them early. I have compiled a list of basic manners that I feel all children over the age of five can practice:
-to say hello pleasantly to people they meet and to look people in the eye when speaking
-to speak when spoken to
-to get along with their siblings, cousins, and other children
-to show respect for older people
-to say “Thank you”, “Please,” “I’m sorry”, “Excuse me”
-to not interrupt others while they are speaking
-to remember the basic etiquette rule of never calling attention to oneself and to not raise merry hell, scream, or otherwise cavort in public.
-to shake hands
-to respect the property of others and not touch or play with other people’s things unless invited to do so
-to respect the privacy of others
These are the basic building blocks of etiquette that every child needs. More instruction in this fine art and we can change the world!
Best Etiquette Wishes,
The Lady Hooper-Brackett
The Lady Hooper-Brackett 