According to US etiquette expert Elaine Swann, teaching social skills prepares children to become useful individuals. "The foundation of this is respect, care, and good manners," Swann stated.
Parents should practice the following 10 important skills with their children every day:
**Saying "please" and "thank you"**
The habit of saying "please" and "thank you" should be cultivated as a natural reflex from a young age. Preschool children often enjoy imitating adult behavior. Therefore, parents need to help children understand that their small actions can impact the feelings of those around them.
**Proper table manners**
Children need guidance on polite behavior during meals to avoid making others uncomfortable or creating a mess. Parents can practice basic rules at home, including: sitting correctly, using eating utensils properly, and keeping their mouths closed while chewing food.
**Maintaining eye contact**
Maintaining eye contact shows respect for the other person. Children should practice this habit as they grow older, with the expectation increasing with age. Whether talking with family, teachers, or new acquaintances, confident and focused eye contact helps children create a better impression.
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Illustration: Marriage and Family |
**Proper door etiquette**
Knowing how to hold a door for someone behind you or knocking before entering a room are basic yet essential life skills. Teaching children how to use doors correctly helps them develop an awareness of respecting others' private space.
**How to interrupt adult conversations**
Many young children habitually interrupt adults who are speaking, which can be irritating. Parents should address this habit early by teaching children two rules: approaching and saying "excuse me," and waiting for adults to give permission to speak.
**Safe coughing and sneezing**
To prevent the spread of germs, parents should teach their children to cover their mouths with their elbows (instead of their hands) when coughing or sneezing. Additionally, parents should instruct children to proactively grab a tissue if they feel a sneeze or runny nose coming on.
**Limiting excessive use of electronic devices**
Phones and tablets should not be used as tools to keep children quiet. This can reduce a child's social interaction abilities. Instead, parents should create opportunities for their children to converse and play outdoors to develop practical communication skills.
**Knowing when and how to apologize**
Children will inevitably hurt others at times and need to know how to apologize. A complete apology should begin with "I," clearly state what was done, and explain how it affected the other person. Parents also need to set an example for their children in this regard.
**Ending calls politely**
Children need to be taught how to end phone calls or online meetings politely. Specifically, children should say goodbye and wait for the other person to hang up first, rather than abruptly disconnecting.
**Using an appropriate voice volume for the setting**
Children need to know how to adjust their voice volume in different settings, such as restaurants, libraries, or parks. Parents can practice with children using hypothetical situations: asking how they would speak in a park compared to inside a house, allowing children to self-regulate their volume accordingly.
Nhat Minh (According to Goodhousekeeping)
