Table Manners for Kids Comes with
Coaching, Practice
(http://childcare.about.com/od/behaviors/a/tablemanners.htm) |
Teach
Your Youngsters Proper Table Manners that Dazzle
Your
youngsters may know how to sit still, use a napkin, and how to cut with a knife
and fork, but do they really know proper table manners? The holidays, weddings,
anniversary celebrations, school dances, and other social events are prime
occasions for kids to demonstrate appropriate table manners. However, far too
many parents somehow assume that their kids will know how to act, what to do
(and not to do), and how to exhibit proper table manners--only to be
embarrassed by a youngster's double-dipping, slurping, or demonstrations of
finger-lickin' good! You've taught them most everything they know up to now, so
take time and teach them table manners basics that will dazzle at the next
occasion. Here's how to get started:
Many
kids simply don't know what to say or the appropriate action to take. If the
occasion is at your home or you're serving as host, instruct your kids about
properly opening the door and taking any coats. (Show them how to hold them and
not to roll them up in a wad.) Teach them how to properly shake hands and how
to appropriately hug relatives, especially elderly or individuals with
disabilities.
If
you're serving appetizers, ask your youngsters to act as a host/hostess.
Instruct them what to ask, how to not interrupt conversations, and to tell them
what the choice is. If they are on the receiving end of an offering of hors
d'oeuvres, be sure to tell them how to say hors du'oeuvres and what it means to
avoid the normal kid reaction of "what's that?" Instruct them how to take one
or how to graciously refuse. If it is an item that sounds unappetizing to a
kid's palate (and many do), tell them to simply decline without offering any
commentary about how it looks, smells, or seems to taste.
At
the table, show them how to pull out a seat for a guest and to hold it and help
them scoot to the table. Boys can do this for ladies or girls, and boys or
girls can do the same for older guests as a sign of respect.
Teach
kids how to place the napkin in the lap and how to sit up straight and near the
table. Be sure to let youngsters know not to plop their elbows on the table.
Practice
table manners such as passing food, asking for something rather than reaching
across the table to get it (and risk spilling a drink or worse), and to take
only as much as they know they'll eat. The proper table manners protocol is to
pass food from left to right (counterclockwise).
Talk
with kids about how tables are set up, where forks, knives and spoons go, why
sometimes there are utensils above the plates and what particular order means
(using the outside utensil first). Emphasize that proper table manners are for
everyone to be served and the host/hostess to pick up a fork to begin eating.
Talk
about the no-no's of "double-dipping," slurping, licking fingers, or the
ever-tempting dragging a finger across the side of an item to taste it (i.e.
icing on the cake).
Practice
sitting up straight and not hunched over, and remind them to bring food from
their plate to their mouth and not hunker down over it.
Explain
bread etiquette and how bread plates are positioned to the upper left of a
dinner plate. Kids need to learn not to butter the entire piece of bread;
rather, butter is placed on the bread place, and then a bite-sized piece is to
be buttered only. Explain how some breads are to be "torn off" with your hands
while other types may need to be cut. Younger kids won't be apt to understand
the differences, but older ones should be able to make a distinction.
Practice napkin use about how they should wipe their mouth appropriately, and where to put the napkin if they need to get up or go to the bathroom. Offer
your kids some conversation ideas, and be sure to emphasize that they are not
to talk with their mouths full or too stuff too much in their mouth, or chomp
with their mouths open, or other disgusting kid habits. Kids should be reminded
to eat slowly and to not gobble down their food.
Use
utensils and only eat with fingers if it is meant to be eaten with fingers.
Explain to youngsters the difference, and how french fries are even meant to be
eaten with a fork and dipped into ketchup rather than with hands during certain
occasions.
Tell
kids to always thank the cook for the delicious meal--even if it wasn't to your
youngsters. Someone put forth an effort, and kids should be taught to find at
least one or two things they did like, and to praise those items in particular.
Kids
should stay seated until the dinner is concluded or until there becomes an
obvious point where kids are being excused and going elsewhere so that adults
can linger.
Adults
should set the stage for success through practice. A "fancy table" can be set
up at home and kids can ask questions and practice so that they are comfortable
and familiar enough to wow everyone with their great table manners when it
truly counts!
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