We've all heard the term, "mind your manners." Tweens are at an age where they can truly grasp the importance of manners, especially as they grow older.
Good manners are essential for kids and adults alike. Everyone wants to be treated with respect, so in turn we must learn to treat others with respect, too. Good manners show others that you truly care about them and consider their feelings.
Tweens are at the prime age for teaching good manners because they are able to understand goals and grasp ideas of why good manners are so important. You may start teaching your child about good manners at a much younger age, but it is limited by the child's ability to understand what is being taught.
Listed below are some fun and interactive activities that you can use to help your tween develop good manners. Once good manners are developed and practiced daily, they start to become a way of life. In turn, your tween will carry on interactions with others in a pleasing and respectful way that will follow her throughout life.
Good Manners Books
Reading is a good way to help your tween learn good manners. Here is a list of suggestions for you to consider:
- Emily Post's The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children (by Peggy Post, 2005)
- How Rude!: The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior (by Alex J. Packer, 1997)
- 365 Manners Kids Should Know: Games, Activities, and Other Fun Ways to Help Children Learn Etiquette (by Sheryl Eberly, 2001)
Role Playing
Learning by doing is one of the best ways to teach tweens. Pretend you are the child and your tween is the parent. Give a scenario where you say or do something rude, and ask your tween to tell you how you should have said or done. Many times a child will know how she is supposed to act, but doesn't feel it is necessary to actually follow through on the correct behavior. Role playing can help your child see just how awful bad manners sound and make others feel. Reverse roles and let your child practice saying and doing things correctly. Daily practice is a great idea!
Manners Chart
This activity involves your involvement, as well as your tween's participation. Have your child list characteristics that she feels are good manners, and you do the same. Compare your lists and discuss why or why not you agree with her items on her list. Be courteous and let her be open about your list, as well. Once you have both agreed upon good characteristics, make a formal chart that she can hang in her room. You can make a fancy chart on MS Publisher or other computer program, or let her design her own chart free-hand.
Ally's Goodies offers a fun games to help teach good manners.
Remember to offer praise to your tween when she is displaying good manners without being told. This provides the much-needed encouragement to keep practicing and doing what is right. Remind her often when she is in a situation where good manners are necessary, and eventually you will see the rewards of her doing these actions on her own.
