Age 3-4-5..They can help too!

By Age 3:
Meal time can be a wonderful time for the family to gather and to learn about what the members of the family have done for the day. By age 3 little ones should stay seated and join in with the conversation during the meal time. They should also be able to use dining utensils with ease. Be sure to ask questions and ask opinions of the young members of the family so they can feel included.

By Age 4:
This is a good time to start chores around the house. Some families use a chart with award stars or special privileges can be awarded for completion of jobs suitable for a child. They could empty wastebaskets, straighten out the playroom or fold towels. Be sure to lay a foundation and begin to build on it.

By Age 5:
By this age children can learn to set the table for a meal and help clear the table as well. The whole dining experience has to be practiced in order for the children to feel comfortable and do the chore easily. Little ones love to be praised and they will feel more involved with the family unit.

Take time to teach children to help with family chores and remember, It's Always Time for Manners!

The Importance of Family Dinner for Children

In a study conducted by a professor of education at Harvard's Graduate School, it was concluded, that family dinners offered opportunities for children to learn vocabulary building words that will help them read well by the third grade. There are so many benefits to the family dinner, not just eating together. Another benefit is the feeling of belonging to the family. When the family is scattered with after school activities and everyone eats "on the run" then the coming together gets put on the sidelines and the closeness of the family unit can suffer.

At least 4 nights a week, including the weekend, is a good start to try to get together for meals. This is a great time for children to talk about their day; their triumphs or their fears. Listening to each other is another skill that is learned. No interrupting or certainly teasing should not be tolerated during the family meal time.

If this time feels awkward in the beginning think of a few topics to bring up during dinner. This could be dreams during the night, plans for a family vacation or a movie that can be watched as a family. Children love to feel safe and feel a part of a family, no matter how young.

Better Manners at Holiday Buffets

In our home, the elders or grandparents are the honored guests to go first in a buffet line. Why do some families allow children to dig in and mess up a beautifully prepared buffet? Grandmas and Grandpas go first, followed by moms and children that need help, followed by the hungry men of the family.

Children need to learn restraint and respect for the older family members. It's the right thing to do.

If a grace or blessing is said before the meal is eaten then it is a good idea to stand by your chair and say the blessing and then start the buffet. That way everyone is together for the blessing of the food.

The etiquette for when to begin eating at a buffet is that when three people are at the table everyone can begin to enjoy their meal.

Again, it is so helpful for children to know what is expected of them before a family holiday meal. They are more comfortable in the situation and the parents can enjoy a relaxing time knowing the children are doing the right thing.

Family meals are a very important time and should be a special, stress-free event.

Happy Holidays and remember, It's Always Time for Manners.

Graciously Accepting Gifts, Gadgets, and Games

The holiday time is a wonderful time of the year for teaching life lessons on accepting gifts from family and friends. Young children are always eager to do the right thing and in doing the right thing the kids will feel confident in social situations.

Receiving gifts from friends and family members should always be received with a clear, spoken thank you. I see children that grab gifts and tear them open without accepting with a polite thank you. This can be practiced with small children at home before attending a gathering where gifts are exchanged. I always told my children that if someone took the time to shop and wrap a gift then they could take the time to write a note of thanks for the gift too.

Grandparents especially want to know that their thoughtfulness is appreciated and properly acknowledged.

Another job for parents is coaching children on what to do if the child already has the gift or they don't like the gift. Again practice at home so children know the right thing to do.

Teach children to say thank you with a smile and explain to children before hand that the gift can be exchanged and they should be grateful for the gift and express thanks. Whether the present is a gift, gadget or game say THANK YOU.

Happy Holidays and remember, "It's Always Time for Manners"

Mr. and Mrs. Still Sounds Right

I always taught our three sons to address our friends by Mr. and Mrs. The title shows respect and good manners. Is this old fashioned or is it still proper to do?

I feel it is one way to teach our children respect in a world where children, as well as teens, are failing to be taught respect for authority, teachers, and adults. By addressing an adult with Mr. or Mrs. the title puts just the right distance between a child and adult. I think it is a big mistake for children to call their teachers by their first names. Yes, there are schools that promote familiarity and "we're all equal" feeling but the teacher is the authority in the classroom and should be held in high regard and addressed properly.

As a grown woman I still wouldn't think of calling my parents friends by their first name. I was taught respect at a young age and because of that, my parents knew their teachings would last a lifetime.

What do you think?

School Bus Safety for Kids

Time for Manners has a video called American Manners that addresses school bus safety along with other topics. The characters, Tara and Tyler ride the bus every day to school. They know that they should be polite and stay in their seat. They also made up a song in the video called Bottom to Bottom and Back to Back. That means, keep your bottom on the seat and your back against the seat back in order to stay safe and secure.

Tara, Tyler and their friend Wesley also talk about keeping the aisle clear of school bags or sports equipment. They know that the driver has an important job and he must be free of distractions in order to drive safely.

I always thought that a school bus should have a volunteer parent on each bus to keep order and help out the driver.

I can remember going to school on a bus and all the "big kids" went to the back of the bus and that is usually where all the trouble began. Maybe the older kids should be in the front of the bus and set a good example for the younger kids as they go to their seats.

Back to school should be fun and exciting. Let's keep our children safe on the school bus.

Nice and Neat in Restaurants

Any child can be taught to eat neatly in a restaurant, but they must be taught. Moms could bring a bib and the child's own dish and cup. This way there is a familiarity that makes children feel comfortable. I never like to see children eat off a tray without a proper bowl or dish. Children will learn to keep food on the tray more easily and not let it drop all over the floor when they are familiar with the dish ware. I know I don't like eating my meal next to children at a restaurant that have made a mess of the floor and the food is spread all over the table or tray.

Children as young as 3 can use small utensils and be praised for eating like a "big person". It is always hard for kids to use the restaurant's utensils so bringing a baggie with the child's own spoon or fork can make for a much nicer meal. Children want to learn the proper way to eat and to begin teaching children at a young age can only instill the action that will become second nature.

Proper use of the napkin is essential and can help with keeping clean while eating the meal.

Children learn by example and if everyone in the family cooperates with practicing good dining habits then everyone will have a wonderful family dining experience.

5 tips for Mannerly Children at McDonalds

Yes, it is "Always Time for Manners". That's what Merlin Manners says on the Time for Manners videos. Even at McDonalds, children can be taught to behave and eat with respect for others.

Here are 5 helpful tips for families and friends:

1. While standing in line, decide what everyone would like to eat so that others won't have to wait behind you in line. Let's be prompt and polite.

2. Always eat on the paper or on the tray in case the table has not been cleaned properly.

3. The rule for eating a hamburger or sandwich is that if it is too big to hold in one hand then it should be cut in half. Only little animals eat with two hands!!

4. We all love the french fries with catsup but the catsup should be put on the paper and the fries dipped into the catsup. Never, squirted all over the mound of french fries and then eaten.

5. Clean off the table of all paper, cups and food so the next family will enjoy their meal too.

If it is necessary to eat fast food then make sure that manners aren't forgotten and your family will have a good time together, that is the most important part of the mealtime.

3 Secrets for Happy Family Dinners

1. Make sure to always set a table so children know that special family time is important.

It's easy to eat in front of the TV or "grab" some food whenever kids are hungry but the only way to encourage family unity is to sit down together and share a meal.

2. Have each family member tell the family the best thing that happened to them that day.

Keeping the conversation positive will make for a pleasant evening meal and allow the children to learn to be grateful for their day.

3. Parents should use their best dining manners everyday.

Children learn by example and learning from their parents will be the most beneficial way to teach family members good manners.

Remember: It's Always Time for Manners

Thank you notes for Toddlers To Teens

When a friend or relative spends time searching and buying a gift for a child or adult they deserve a thank you note. Writing a note takes a lot less time than the effort to go out to find a gift. I received a drawing from a little one recently when I had purchased a gift for them and it was so cute and appreciated. The child's gesture, taught by the mother, teaches them that is it proper to be thankful and gracious when someone gives them a gift.

I hear complaints all the time from grandparents that they never know if a grandchild received the gift or if it was enjoyed.

It is a lot easier to get a child to write a short note or do a drawing than it is a teenager. But all it take is encouragement and consistency with all ages.

Remember: Mind Your Manners!

Holly Beth

Let the Flag Fly Free

4th of July is almost here and have you checked your flag to see if it is in good condition? Here are 5 things to remember when flying the American Flag.

1. Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. At night, it should be illuminated.

2. Don't let the flag touch the ground.

3. Never tie it down or hold it in place, the flag should be free.

4. Never fly the flag in inclement weather.

5. Make sure the flag is not tattered or torn.

If your flag must be replaced then dispose of it in a respectful way. A flag should be folded properly and buried or taken to a American Legion Post so they can dispose of it in a dignified ceremony.

Children enjoy learning about the history and proper etiquette of the American Flag. Discussions with the family about respecting the flag is all part of good manners.

A Gentle Hand Tells the Story

My daughter-in-law uses this unique technique with our granddaughter. When the mom is talking to other people and my granddaughter wants to say something or needs her mom's attention she gently places her hand on her mother's hand as a signal that she would like to ask a question or needs some attention. The gesture does not interrupt a conversation but only lets the mom know that she needs to say, "please excuse me" while she attends to her daughter.

So many times children can be rude by breaking into conversations and causing a scene. Isn't this a nice way to teach children to consider others? Good manners are always appreciated and needed in our society. Children feel good when they know the right thing to do.

Table Time Dinnerware Set

We love our Time for Manners Dinnerware Set for toddlers and young children. There is an educational place mat that teaches kids where to place the dish, napkin, glass,fork, knife and spoon. The plastic ware is high quality, safe and very colorful. The image of Merlin Manners is on each piece of the dinnerware set. The utensils have indents for little fingers to train them to hold the utensils properly. We also included a 30 minute video, Table Time, to show the children how to use the dinnerware set.

One mom told me that her 4 year old son calls the dinnerware set his "good china" and wants to use it at each meal. Please visit the Time for Manners site to learn more about training your little one to eat their meal more easily and as well as the older siblings of the family.