Teaching Kids Mealtime Manners

Children do need to learn to eat and sit properly when dining at the table. They must be taught to sit through a meal, although it requires much patience and disciplining to do on the part of parents.

First and foremost, the child (even as young as aged one or two, or even younger) should be involved in table conversations as much as possible. Parents should talk to the kids like they would talk to other adults, in order to make them feel that they are part of the circle of “big people.”

Electronic gadgets must be off-limits at the dining table - gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets etc. Watching television or engaging in anything, like toys, that could be a distraction should be avoided too. It is a very bad practice to be preoccupied with something else, rude to everyone else sitting around the table, and could look bad especially when dining out at a fancy restaurant.

Running around at mealtime is probably one of the worst practices ever by kids! It’s a shame that some parents actually tolerate – even encourage – this type of disruptive behaviour. I personally think this is highly unacceptable in a restaurant, for the place is not a playground.

Focusing on and enjoying the food and having conversations with other people around the table should be observed. As much as possible, the whole family should sit together at the dining table and no one shall rush to leave the table until everyone else is finished with his or her meal.

Young children are extremely observant and will certainly learn proper manners as they see it in others. Everybody must use polite words such as “please” and “thank you” and tone their voices down when asking for food to be passed. The proper use of cutlery must be taught, too.

When kids master their table manners, it will become send nature with them. It will be practiced at home or at fine restaurants, where parents may be surprised by strangers coming up to their table and comment how well-behaved the children are. It can make parents very proud.

I believe it’s better to train your child early on to sit down and behave properly during mealtimes. Good table manners can define the personalities of children as they grow up. To train children along this line, parents shall:

1. Always eat at a table and give the kids the message that eating properly is important.

2. Eat together with their children and make mealtime a social experience for all of them.

3. Make food and mealtime a fun experience.

4. Never force-feed (unless it become necessary, like when the child completely refuses to eat and the parents know he or she is hungry)

5. Set a good example by not only teaching the child good table manners but also practicing what they preach.