Ten Basic Etiquette Rules Your Kids Should Learn

There are very few lessons that are as valuable as proper manners and etiquette. Teaching etiquette and good manners is all about fostering an attitude of respect, empathy, and social awareness. These attributes not only enable your child to develop appropriate relationships but also help them cope with the real world.

Learning proper etiquette has become exponentially more important in today’s world. Children not using basic manners can adversely affect their reputation whether at home, in school, or any other social space. Here are ten golden etiquette rules which every child has to learn as school students so that they readily grow into respectful, confident, and compassionate individuals.

How to say ‘hello’ / Greetings

Greet people with a smile. This is one of the most fundamental aspects of etiquette. Children who are taught this value at a young age will likely grow up more polite and respectful. To make relationships with older people, peers, or teachers, a simple “Hello” or “Good morning” works well.

Saying “Please”, “Thank You”, and “Sorry”

Politeness is one of the desired manners in almost every culture across the world, therefore, ensure that your children learn to say ‘please’ when making a request, ‘thanks’ to show gratitude, and ‘pardon’ if they made a mistake or offended someone. Although these words seem negligible, ‘Thank you,’ for instance, can create a more civil atmosphere.

1. Respect for Elders

Kids should be encouraged to stand when elders enter a room, offer their seats, and pay proper attention to what is being said.

2. Table Manners

Encouraging children to practice manners and etiquette such as ‘thank you,’ ‘please,’ ‘sorry,’ the use of cutlery when dining, chewing with their mouths closed, and most importantly, no talking while food is in their mouths can go a long way into shaping their Character.

3. Sharing is Caring

This is the core value of the social development policy that seeks to share the resources available to promote empathy, whether it is toys, food, or teaching notes, this practice encourages children to develop relationships with their mates.

4. Listen Without Interrupting

No matter how simple it sounds, many adults do not seem to practice active listening. It truly is an essential skill and is even more so needed by today’s youth. Teach your children to listen and avoid speaking when someone else is talking. This rule is very important for the etiquette for kids as it enables them to cultivate patience and empathy.

5. Being on Time

Being punctual is vital for one’s career. It demonstrates one’s respect towards differing attitudes and cultures. Whether it is going to school, preparing an assignment, or even celebrating a birthday, it is better to be early, and this will benefit children throughout their lives.

6. Appreciation of Personal Space

Respecting personal space for another individual in a world which cherishes uniqueness is a crucial part of social etiquette. Teach your children not to touch other people’s things, speak to them without permission, or even get too close to them. This rule is very essential in a classroom and a playground. Hence it becomes one of the most basic etiquette rules for students.

7. Manners in the Electronic Age

Even with the growing amount of people using smartphones and social media, good manners still and will forever remain important. Teach your kids not to use the devices during family gatherings or send the wrong messages, including always ask before uploading someone’s photo. This is a great way to ensure trust as well as protect one’s online identity.

8. Expressing Thankfulness and Note Taking for Appreciation

Gratitude will always have value. It is in our best interest to motivate our kids to write notes of appreciation whenever they are given gifts, someone compliments them or even performs a simple act of kindness. A simple personal note or even a well-spoken thank you pays off in the long run.

Practical Tips to Increase Etiquette Effectively

• Parents as Role Models: Children acquire skills through observation of their caregivers. Make sure to embody the values that you want your children to learn.
• Role-Playing Situations: Simulate events like meeting new people and eating in public places with children to help them learn in an enjoyable manner.
• Encouragement: Whenever children display good manners, make sure to commend them. Children who receive encouragement are likely to engage in such behaviour repeatedly.
• Books and Videos: Incorporate stories and videos that encapsulate proper etiquette and wholesome values. These tools can enhance relatability and entertainment during the learning process.

The Role of Etiquette in a Child’s Development

Good manners is a frame of mind that is displayed by how a person behaves and acknowledges their surroundings. Children who learn manners for kids at a young age are likely to become considerate and socially capable people. Also, these skills enable them to make friends easily, perform better in school, and flourish in the workplace.

While in school where children spend a big proportion of their day, it becomes imperative that a set of etiquette rules are established to promote proper behavior among students and teachers. Well-established schools that focus on moral-based education tend to have students who become and achieve not just academic success, but also good social life.

Conclusion

We hope you liked the roundup of etiquette for kids and etiquette rules for students in this blog. The incorporation of basic etiquette among children is a gradual activity that needs time, effort and self-control. Besides, institutionalizing these set of rules enables the child to navigate through life in an intelligent and mature manner and most importantly, feigned or heartfelt respect throughout their endeavors. Good manners make opening doors and hearts much easier; thus it’s prudent to label it as an unparalleled gift to a child.

At Billabong High International School, we care for and foster all our learners to strive in all endeavours whilst also holding strong moral and social values. We teach our students to be empathetic and have good manners so that they grow into responsible citizens. Visit us and see how we are preparing young people for the future.