HOW TABLE MANNERS BENEFIT KIDS LATER IN LIFE

I would like to introduce my second Guest Blogger this week, Kate T. Lewis. Ms. Lewis and I were classmates and fellow graduates of The Protocol School of Washington and I am honored to have her contribute her expertise on Children Dining Etiquette, for this post.
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HOW TABLE MANNERS BENEFIT KIDS LATER IN LIFE
By Kate T. Lewis, Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant and Guest Blogger


I just love to see a child do the “I can’t believe how delicious this tastes” dance. I know that dance, myself, actually. It’s so cute to watch little ones sway back and forth in their chair or hop around the kitchen when you let them eat something decadent. One of my children used to sing during these moments of delirium.

Unfortunately, we have to eventually teach our children that the presence of food requires presence of mind. And, it’s no easy task. But, I have found that adjusting my way of thinking makes the mission easier to accomplish.

Here’s the skinny: Teaching children table manners very early on makes it easier for you to teach them other social skills as they grow up. If a child learns to act respectfully in one area of their life, they can more easily translate those skills and thoughts to other things as they mature. Table manners are a great place to start because a) you have 2 or 3 chances per day to talk about these skills or toss out reminders and b)they are “hemmed up” in their chair which means you have their attention.

Here are 5 table manners to teach kids now that will serve them well as they grow older:

1) Talk to waitstaff clearly and politely: Teaching kids to talk to adults lays the groundwork to being at ease with those that are different than themselves later in life. You might start with letting a wee one say what they would like to drink - as they look the server in the eye and say ‘Please’. As the child becomes more articulate, it should become their responsibility to ask for whatever they need – politely. “May I have another napkin, please?”, for example.

2) Do not start eating until everyone has been served: This will teach patience and consideration for others. Every school teacher on the planet will thank you.

3) Taste food before asking for /reaching for condiments: This one teaches reasoning skills and to think before they act. Kids tend to react quickly and passionately in certain situations until they mature, so this provides the time and place to talk about self-control and acting with purpose.

4) How you look at the table: Teach your kids to remove their caps at the table, they must wear shoes, and their shirts and hands must be clean. This will help them to realize how their physical presence impacts others. It is less than appetizing to sit across from someone who isn’t clean. Later, as they travel with their friends or their sports teams, you can rest easy knowing they will represent you, themselves and/or the organization well.

5) There are different ways of eating that are considered correct – depending on where you live: Teaching Continental and American styles of dining creates an easy segue into a conversation about different cultures and diversity that will meld into an attitude of tolerance and open-mindedness.

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* Thank you again to my Guest Blogger, Kate T. Lewis for contributing this wonderful post!

Bio:

Kate T. Lewis is a Certified Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant and the owner of Kate T. Lewis Consulting. A graduate of The Protocol School of Washington, Mrs. Lewis writes a blog called The Civilized Minute and is (not so) patiently awaiting the release of her book by the same name in November 2010. She lives in Georgia with her husband and 2 children. Please visit http://www.katetlewis.com/ for more information.