The Preschooler

Table Manners

Last evening at the dinner table, I actually said to my four-year-old, “If you don’t learn some table manners, you are not going to be allowed to sit at this table.”  (Some of his rice had fallen onto the table, and he was picking it up with his fingers and licking it off of his hands.)  I am not sure exactly how I expected a preschool child to learn table manners on his own, but the words flew out of my mouth, and it wasn’t until I saw the stunned and confused look on my husband’s face that I realized that what I had said was a ridiculous demand.

Of course it is important for youngsters to learn table manners, but we, as the adults, must correctly demonstrate and guide them in the proper etiquette.  Most parents easily remember to teach children to say, “Please” and “Thank you.”  However, there is a lot more to mealtime etiquette than those two phrases.  Here are some suggestions for instruction”

• Teach children how to pull out the chair for girls, ladies, and older adults.
• Show kids how to properly place a napkin on their laps.
• Give instruction on how to sit at the table: straight, still, close to the table, and no elbows.
• Practice passing food instead of reaching.
• Require children to sit at the table until excused (”May I please be excused” is a good phrase to teach since children may find it difficult to sit at the table once they have finished their own food.)

Resource: McClure, Robin.  “Table Manners for Kids” as accessed on June 14, 2010 at http://childcare.about.com/od/behaviors/a/tablemanners.htm

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Written by Laura on June 14, 2010