| You've seen them in the grocery store: children | | | | toddler before she can say these words herself. |
| who have no manners! They grab everything | | | | This will be a good way to get your child used to |
| they want from the shelves, push and shove | | | | saying these words when it is appropriate. She will |
| while waiting in line, and talk back to their parents. | | | | want to repeat the words when she starts talking |
| If you are a parent, you are probably wondering | | | | because mommy and daddy use them. |
| what to do to keep your child from turning into a | | | | One social convention all children should learn is |
| terror. While no child is perfect, there are some | | | | how to use the proper title when addressing |
| things you can do to teach a child the proper way | | | | adults. Some adults expect children to use "Mr." or |
| to behave in public. | | | | "Mrs." and "Sir" or "Ma'am" when addressing them. |
| The most important thing you need to do to | | | | If you teach your children to address adults this |
| teach your child to behave is to be consistent. If | | | | way, even if it is not something you normally |
| you allow the child to behave one way at home | | | | require children to call you, they will not offend |
| but require a different behavior in public, she is | | | | those around them. Of course, if an adult your |
| going to be confused. Confused children do not | | | | child knows says these titles are unnecessary, |
| learn quickly what is required of them and have a | | | | then you do not have to insist that your child |
| higher tendency to act out. | | | | uses them with that individual. |
| Another way to teach your child how to behave | | | | Children should be taught how to listen without |
| is to model proper manners at home. If you are | | | | interrupting, and this is a difficult behavior for a |
| going to ignore social graces in front of your | | | | child to learn. You need to remind her not to |
| children, they will think this is the proper way to | | | | interrupt, but don't make a huge issue out of it if |
| behave. | | | | she forgets. A child is naturally excited about the |
| However, it's not necessarily a problem if children | | | | things he or she wants to say, so a child will slip |
| learn they can relax their manners slightly when | | | | up. When this happens, a gentle reminder is all she |
| at home. Everyone needs a place where they | | | | needs. |
| don't have to be on their best behavior, and that | | | | Remember that children need time to develop the |
| place should be your home. After your child has | | | | necessary motor skills to eat without spilling and |
| learned what proper behavior is, you can explain | | | | chew with their mouths closed. Do not require |
| to her that sometimes it is fine to behave a little | | | | behavior your child is not physically capable of. |
| crazy but proper manners should always be used | | | | Give them time to grow, teach them when |
| in public. | | | | certain behavior is appropriate, and you will raise a |
| Teaching proper manners begins even before | | | | child who uses good manners - at least most of |
| your child can talk. For example, you can use | | | | the time. |
| "please" and "thank you" with your infant or | | | | |