Students learn reading and writing from school. Their regular visit to church or mosque (as per their religion) is necessary to learn about religion. In this procedure, parents often forget about manners and good habits. Keep it in mind that you are the one who should teach good habits and behaviors to your children. At an early stage, it is easy for you to change the habits of your child. Parent are responsible for teaching their children how to behave with others. You can play an essential role in the social development of your child. Here are some ideas that can help you while teaching your kids good habits.

Consistency and Patience

Acquiring good habits and manners need reinforcement and patience. Your encouraging behavior can help your child in learning. You, your spouse and caregiver must encourage similar habits. For instance, if your spouse let your child throw food and you don’t, your kid will be confused between both behaviors. Make sure to teach basic manners to your child: table manner, thank you and please, apologizing and sharing.

Table Manners

When your child turns 3, he/she can learn to eat with forks and spoon on a table. Your child can sit on a table for almost 15 – 20 minutes and wipe out his mouth with napkins. If you want to teach these manners to your child, you have to start your efforts during toddlerhood. Offer a small (no-break) plate to your child to have food. Encourage him/her to eat in his utensils. Teach him/her that throwing food on the floor is not good. If you don’t want to have food, say “no, thank you.”

Thank You and Please

An 18-month old baby can say small words without understanding their meanings. By 2 ½, children can join different words to their concept. If your child starts speaking words, you have to teach him words of gratitude. You can get the advantage of please and thank you songs. Music can help your toddlers to develop their vocabulary. A child may not understand the words in nursery rhymes and songs, but they can improve their understanding by recognizing the storytelling in songs. Gently prompt your child to say thank you after receiving a gift.

Sharing

At the age of 2, a child can understand the concept of turn-taking and sharing. You have to encourage your child to share toys and other stuff with friends. Try to give similar toys to your child to help him with sharing with friends.

Apologizing

A toddler of 18 months can understand empathy. He can’t understand the reason of apology. By 3, he will be able to realize its actual meaning. Teach your child how to apologize instead of encouraging his wrong behavior. If he snatches a toy from his friend, make sure to discourage this wrong behavior. Play on the empathy of your child: we don’t hurt others. Prompt your kid to say sorry for his wrong behavior. You can choose small punishments for your child to let him realize his mistakes, such as don’t offer him Sunday ice-cream after a fight with his classmate. Your small efforts can help your child to become a good person.