Manners - teach them from young!

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“I don’t know what kind of mother you are!”  This was a statement I overheard a young boy telling his mother at a shopping mall a few years ago.  As a mother, I was heartbroken.  I believe strongly that no matter what mistakes a mother have made, there is no reason a child can be this disrespectful!

 

It is always a joy teaching children, knowing that they are receptive to learn and coming to class with an open mind and many experiences of their own to share with you.  You just got to be patient with them.:)  Having taught children for almost 7 years, I realized that all children can be taught!  It’s easy when they are as young as 1-2 years old and gets tougher as they grow older.  The simple pleasantries and sharing of things work for the very young and the manners get a little stricter when they are 3-4 years old and older.  Things like greeting/farewell, being considerate, behavior during meal, taking turns and how they express their unhappiness can be taught!  They pick up habits easily and adults need to lead the way and set a good example!

 There are several reasons why children pick up bad manners:

1)      The adults are busy working and they do not place importance in teaching their children manners.  They can’t wait to bring them out and buy what they want or eat than giving them any form of reprimanding.

2)      The adults themselves are not strict in ensuring good manners from the child.  It is common to hear “It’s ok, he is just a child”.   Enforcing a ‘PLEASE’ behind every request instills the value that they do not take others for granted.

3)      The adult themselves do not have the habit.  If you do not address elders at the table before the meal, how do you think you can enforce it with the children?

 

During my class, they were many occasions where the children will counter my request for them to behave well. 

1)      We discussed about sitting properly at the dining table, a child asked why his father put his leg up on the chair he was sitting on.

2)      We discussed about saying THANK YOU, a child asked why adults don’t say it when she pressed the lift for them.

These are some examples I had as well as after observing and chatting with parents.  There are also books available for the long list of manners to be shared with your children.  Whether you are a parent or not, don’t you think you should start leading by example and then teach the children around you?

About the Author : Sherrine Teoh is the Principal Image Consultant with Image and You Consultancy.  She runs regular training for corporations and institutions as well as Individual Consultations on Personal Grooming, Dressing and Social Etiquette.  She is also Mrs Singapore Queen of Hope 2012, Mrs Asia International All Nations 2012 and Mrs Photogenic 2012 (Mrs Asia International).