Sadly, manners are often neglected in the world around us. After teaching Protocol and Etiquette for more than four years, I believe even more strongly that teaching the basics of good manners is what is needed in our modern day. These principles of considerate behavior towards others (whatever the age or gender) may seem outdated, but they are still upheld and respected. In today’s blog post, I’ll share some tips for parents as they prepare their families for back to school. I’ll also explain how my manners for kids classes in Dallas can help give families a fresh perspective and jump-start towards positive behavioral change.
How Can Parents Help Their Children Succeed?
The first and most important virtue for the Foundation of Manners is this…gratitude accompanied with humility. The state of the heart is reflected in how we treat others. We must teach our children this and set an example for them on how to treat others.
Parents, you have an incredible opportunity to affect your children’s lives! Together, we can help the next generation succeed in interactions at the office, in school and at home. Here are some tips for training your children.
- Teach your children to ask about others instead of talking about themselves. Teach them to speak about the merits of others. Modesty will always make a favorable impression. Integrity and honesty remain highly valued attributes and apply to both genders. I cannot stress the importance of modesty. It is engaging to the highest degree, and wins the heart of all.
- Self-Presentation and Personal Grooming – If you are well-groomed and well-presented, you show respect for others around you…this is a commendable way to treat others. Your appearance is an eloquent testament to the fact that you have made an effort and that you are not lazy or indifferent. These actions will be duly noted and approved of.
- Children must learn the art of Savoir-Faire, which is the ability to speak and act appropriately in social situations. Truly, this is the hallmark of manners. Children must be taught to observe other people and use tact and discretion in dealing with them. They can easily learn finesse by being observant of people around them and by showing consideration. In general, this means putting the needs of others before your own. Your child can do this by prioritizing the comfort of others and by ensuring that others do not feel ignored or overlooked. This will enable them to avoid awkwardness in social interactions and will help them in smooth and seamless conversation.
- Hold high expectations of your children. Give them chores and responsibilities, make certain you have conversations with them daily as much as possible. Give them your attention and they will surely give you theirs.
- Do not give false praise to your kids. Speak truth to them and help them understand that society does not welcome anyone lacking manners.
- Discuss humility and what it means to make the needs of others paramount to their needs.
- Hold briefings as a family or before school, church and social events. Prepare children and explain to them about what will be happening. Children want to learn!
- Teach your children to be interested in others by seeing you help others in need.
- Make a “gratitude list” with the things you can be thankful for.
- Respect – Discuss how and why we respect our elders, parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, policeman, fireman and all public servants. Teach your children to respect those who might be different from them.
- Teach your children to take directions from others. This is a way of showing humility and respect to authority figures.
- Discuss the “why” of manners with your children.
- Express your own gratitude towards your child each and every day.
- Above all, teach your children to love God with all of their heart and soul and to respect their parents.
- Do Hard Things – Teach your children to do the things they do not want to do. Often, doing what one does not want to do leads to a great reward.
Lisa Burdette Helps Families with Back to School Manners
In my Manners Class for Children and Teens, I help to prep and brief your child with good school manners. In addition to Table Manners 101, I also cover behavior with civility and teach children respectful and considerate behavior towards teachers, classmates and the school environment. I concentrate on speaking polite language, active listening, respecting others and always being on-time.
Listening 101 – In my classes, I concentrate on teaching children the importance of listening to the teacher / authority figures and never interrupting. Taking turns is essential. We will discuss ways to reach out and actively show an interest in others, while also acknowledging and respecting cultural differences.
Additional Topics Covered Include…
The Importance of Completing a Project – Students will be encouraged to finish their schoolwork and keep personal belongings organized and clean.
Kindness – A student’s attitude of kindness must come from the heart. We will discuss how treating classmates, teachers, and all those in authority with respect will lead to a happy and successful life.
Please and Thanks – These two phrases can make a life-changing difference in your child’s interactions with others! We will cover how to write the four-step Thank You note as well as basics on saying Please and Thank You.
Conflict Resolution – It is so important that students learn how to resolve conflicts through effective communication and compromise. This is a social skill that your children will use over and over as they head to college and to the business world. Conflict resolution can also help in friendships and family interactions throughout life.
Fine Dining – In addition to character education, we will discuss Fine Dining with students. This includes topics such as proper table manners, which will be practiced in my class.
Introductions & Conversations – We will begin the class with an exercise called Eye, Smile, Hand, where students will practice good eye contact, smiling and a firm handshake. Posture will be taught and practiced. We close our time together with practice in conversation skills. Your child will be taught how to hold a conversation. Children must know and understand how to hold and start conversations. This begins with face-to-face interaction and learning how to use a cell phone.
Looking for a Manners for Kids Expert for your Children or School?
Etiquette expert, Lisa Burdette, offers training in manners for kids. She has successfully educated many individuals in social graces, afternoon tea and dining etiquette. Her private and group etiquette classes give people the skills they need to increase their self-confidence and interact with others in a polished manner at the dinner table and while at school and in the home.
In addition, Lisa has experience in business etiquette training and workshops for corporate clients such as the Toyota Corporation, the Bank of Texas and others.
Ready to help your children this school year with good manners for kids? Reach out to Lisa on her Contact page or Book Online and request your etiquette session with Lisa today!
