| After interviewing for an exciting employment | | | | happily and proudly set the table each evening. Put |
| opportunity, the young candidate was rejected, "When | | | | placemats, napkins, silverware, plates, cups and bowls |
| I asked for real feedback, the interviewer told me that | | | | within reach of children to facilitate easy table setting. |
| although my job skills and education were a good fit, | | | | A good idea in homes with small children is to |
| some of my table manners raised a red flag. The | | | | purchase nice quality melamine dishes so when plates |
| position entails many client dinners and I guess I had a | | | | drop they will not break. |
| few bad habits that they saw at meals during the | | | | Children do not learn proper table manners overnight. It |
| interview process." The candidate continued, "I would | | | | takes years of repetition and consistent training to |
| have loved to have been taught proper table manners | | | | refine their skills. Parents have eighteen years to help |
| by my parents. I feel at a real disadvantage, and I am | | | | shape their child's table manners so there is plenty of |
| quite frankly, embarrassed by my lack of manners." | | | | time to patiently work with them. Expect lots of errors |
| Sadly the situation the interviewee faced above is not | | | | and missteps, use gentle guidance, never scold or |
| uncommon. Competition is fierce for good jobs and | | | | embarrass, just kindly correct and continue eating. |
| seats in good universities. There are many more highly | | | | If parents begin teaching manners when their children |
| qualified applicants than positions. Polished table skills | | | | are toddlers, by the time the kids are in kindergarten |
| are a needed asset and social skill in this competitive | | | | they will have mastery of the basics. |
| culture. | | | | The following is a list of table manners that your child |
| Every parent wants to launch their children into the | | | | should have a good grasp of by age six. |
| world with the skills they need to succeed. Equipping | | | | - Wash their hands and face before sitting down to |
| children with good table manners is an important lesson | | | | the table. |
| that all parents should want to give to their children. | | | | - Sit down in their proper seat and put their napkin in |
| Using good table manners allows the focus to be | | | | their lap. |
| placed on the conversation not on the act of eating. | | | | - Wait to begin eating until everyone is seated and has |
| Having good table manners gives people the | | | | been served. Many families wait until an adult gives |
| confidence to participate in any dining situation with | | | | permission to start eating. |
| ease. | | | | - Stay seated in their seats without wiggling in their |
| Start introducing manners lessons slowly to very | | | | chairs, going under the table, or getting up and down. |
| young children and add more refined lessons as the | | | | - Say, "Excuse Me," and ask permission to leave the |
| child matures. Consistency and repetition are very | | | | table. |
| important when teaching children. Parents will have to | | | | - Elbows do not belong on the table. |
| reinforce the rules time and time again until good | | | | - Mouths should stay closed while chewing and pieces |
| practices become habit. Remind children whenever a | | | | should be bite sized. |
| slip in manners occurs but don't scold or nag. | | | | - "May I please" and "Thank you" should be used when |
| Practicing good manners daily will eventually lead to | | | | children would like food and never reach across the |
| mastery and manners will become second nature. As | | | | table. |
| children develop fine motor skills, their use of utensils | | | | - Participate in the conversation during dinner and no |
| and glassware will improve. With constant repetition, by | | | | interruptions when other people are talking. |
| the early teen years, kids will have built up a | | | | - Slurping, burping, squealing, singing, humming are all |
| comprehensive collection of manners which parents | | | | sounds that are not to be made at the table. |
| need only fine-tune for teens to be capable of | | | | - It is never kind or polite to make negative comments |
| attending the most formal of occasions. | | | | about what is being served for dinner. |
| For the well being of the children, even busy families | | | | - Before getting up at the end of the meal say, "May I |
| should find the time to sit down together each evening | | | | please be excused?" |
| for a meal. The most simple of meals, including | | | | - Ask if adults would like them to clear their dinner |
| take-out fare, are fine choices. Make sure that the | | | | plate. |
| food is transferred and/or served in serving dishes and | | | | - Thank the cook. |
| that the family uses dinnerware. If dinner is impossible | | | | Preparing children for adulthood starts the moment the |
| on certain evenings, families can sit down later in the | | | | baby is placed in the arms of the mother. Teaching |
| evening for dessert; make sure to set the table and | | | | children to use good table manners is a wonderful gift |
| use dinnerware and utensils. | | | | that will serve them well throughout their entire lives. |
| Teaching children the proper way to set the table is a | | | | Parents will be proud that their children are using the |
| perfect start for introducing the use of utensils, plates | | | | good manners that they have taught them, and more |
| and glasses. Explain where each utensil is placed, what | | | | importantly children will be polished and refined and |
| it is for, when it is used, and the correct way to hold it. | | | | capable of being comfortable in any situation. |
| Young children love being given a responsibility and will | | | | |