Parents, Support Dining Skills w/ Etiquette Classes for Kids

All too often, parents tell me that they leave their children at home because they are embarrassed by a child’s lack of manners or ability to sit still. The solution to this? A commitment from the family to make mealtime an event. Parents, you can help your children by teaching them respect and by connecting to them in your conversation and with eye contact. In today’s blog post, I will help to empower parents with tips on how to encourage good manners in their children. I will also share some of the topics I cover in my custom etiquette classes for kids.

Take a Holistic Approach when Teaching Your Children How to Behave at the Dinner Table

I love teaching Etiquette and manners to all ages. However, parents need to remember…practice etiquette with your children. Make an effort to dine with your children daily. Plan special events for dining out with your child. Do not allow cell phones or an iPad at the table. Parents, you only have a limited number of days and hours before your child turns 18 and your job is completed – for good or bad. Your children are and will be a reflection of you and what you have taught them.

Here are some activities that will help to instill manners in your child:

Sit together at the dinner table. Prepare five or more questions to ask your child about their day.

Plan an outing with your child. Dress up and allow them to see you excited about dining with them. Have them observe the behavior of others in the restaurant.

Teach your children to ask others about themselves. For example, “Hello Dad, how was your day?” Remind them that adults have feelings and it shows kindness and respect when we ask others about themselves.

Teach your children situational awareness. Make them aware of the needs of others. Teach them a servant’s heart and to always be mindful of what others need.

Teach your children proper introductions. Never have a friend over without introducing him or her to all family members.

Discuss boundaries and what it means to respect the personal property and space of others.

Teach your child that most anxiety is caused by doing the wrong thing. Good feelings come from doing the right thing and making good choices.

Teach your child to use his or her time wisely. Help them understand the brevity of life.

It is good to have fun with your children. Make it also clear to them that, while parents should be loving, we have a responsibility to teach and prepare our children for a successful life.

Teach your child to respect other cultures. For example, if someone visits a family from Asia and does not know how to eat with chopsticks, he or she should ask to learn about chopsticks usage.

Teach your children to never say, “I do not like this food.”

Gratitude is taught by example. Allow your children to see you showing gratitude to all.

Be respectful of each other in all walks of life.

Teach your children that life is not about doing what we want to do, but about doing what is right and needed.

Discuss differences in other cultures with your children. Explain to them that we are all God’s children. As a result, we must show an interest in others as well as love and a willingness to reach out to all with an extended hand of kindness.

Teach your children to respect their grandparents. Teach them to arrive at the home of a grandparent with an attitude of “what can I do for you, not what do you have for me”. This will be such a treasured blessing to them! I remember my daughter-in-law from China made an effort to sit down and talk with my Dad (who had dementia) for hours. He would laugh and often speak of her later as “Jim’s girl”. She is now an American citizen and often experiences those who do not know how to reach out to her with a heart of kindness.

Teach your child the essential skills of proper grooming, what to wear or not wear, good bathroom habits etc.

Practice with your children so they know how to speak about themselves with others. By age four, everyone should have a story to tell others – about your dog, a family member or a hobby.

Community awareness and involvement improves attitudes and creates a servant’s heart. As a family, visit your local soup kitchen or volunteer at your local temple / church and find out what help they need.

Discuss the purpose of community involvement with your children.

Teach your child the importance of caring about others.

Know your child! Stay close to them, know their friends and make a point to know their teachers. Plan family gatherings and emphasize the importance of making the right choices.

Your children should know your value for and belief in them. In your daily life, show them the value of the following characteristics:

Family
Fiercely Valued
Important
Chosen
Amazing
Unique
Confident
Resilient
Champion
Tenacious
Special
Loving
Kindness
Situational Awareness
A Spirit of Gratitude

Why Dining Etiquette Classes for Kids?

We live in a fast-paced society where our dining experiences are often in the car, on the ball field or in front of the TV. I see couples sitting at the table looking at their phones and often never looking up to greet their child or loved one. When children are not talked to, they cannot speak to others. Most children spend 8 to 10 hours a day in a daycare and their manners are taught to them by their teachers.

Reinforce Your Child’s Manners at Lisa’s Etiquette Classes for Kids

Dallas Etiquette Expert, Lisa Burdette, offers training for adults and children. She has trained in London and Paris and has experience with teaching social graces, afternoon tea and dining etiquette. Her private and group etiquette classes for kids and adults have helped many individuals with increasing their self-confidence.

In my classes, my mission is to empower parents so they can instill manners in their children on a daily basis. Over the years, I have found that this is best accomplished through a two-hour etiquette session with children, where the last 30 minutes is taught with the parent present. My classes are designed to meet the needs of each individual and the expectations of parents as well as the culture that surrounds us.

The following are a few of the issues I address in my Dining Etiquette Classes for Kids. I can create a customized session to meet your family’s needs.

How to meet and greet.
The importance of being on time.
How to talk to waiters and family members with respect.
Why ask permission?
How to adapt to other cultures and social norms.
The use of the napkin.
Proper conversation at the table.
How to address elders.
Respect for rules and regulations mandated at school, restaurants, weddings, parties, family events and travel.
Basic rules at the table – chew with your mouth closed, do not slurp, how to properly use a straw etc.

Manners should not have to be taught, they should be an automatic action. For more information or to request a customized etiquette session for your child, contact Lisa via her Contact page or Book Online and request your training today!