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