Etiquette and A Child’s Mind

I had a very nice interaction at a family gathering several weeks ago.  I had the opportunity to spend time with an eight year old and a ten year old.  The topic of table manners came up in my conversation with the two young girls.  They were interested in the etiquette classes which I teach.  I told them a couple of things which I teach in the dining skills class.  We talked about the uses of the napkin, the bread and butter plate, and  elbows on the table.  It was as if you could just see their young minds absorbing all this new information.  They had  lots of questions and showed a great interest in learning more.  After we talked for awhile, I quizzed them on what they had learned.  They remembered everything that we discussed and were excited to answer the questions which I asked them.  I reminded them to practice what they had learned the  next time they went out to a restaurant for dinner.

I heard later after I had returned home that all the family went out to dinner.  The young girls were very proud to show off some of their new manners.  To their delight, they reminded their great papa that his elbows were on the table.   They told him that there’s only one time when it is permissible to place ones  elbows on the table.  Apparently, this happened a couple of times.  Their great papa said he was going to call me and tell me that they had learned enough because he was getting into way too much trouble with the girls!  Of course, he was kidding and was  quite pleased that they had learned some new manners. 

It is never too early to begin teaching our young people manners.  Their minds are very open and receptive to learning new things.  They enjoy this especially when it’s done in a fun way.  It is good to practice a new skill as it takes twenty one days to start a new pattern, 100 days for it to become automatic, and only thirty days to forget the new  skill.

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com