Training Wheels Needed

Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years

  • Shop
    • I Have Butterflies In My Tummy
    • Song: Butterflies in My Tummy
    • Song: It’s Clean-Up Time
    • Song: Extra-Special Day
    • Song: The Learning Tree
  • About Us
    • What Is Butterflies In My Tummy?
    • Bye, Bye Tantrums
    • Book Rachel Raybin
  • Behavior
    • Tantrums
    • Anxiety & Fear
    • Bedtime
    • Potty Training
    • Biting
    • Meal Time
    • Development Red Flags
  • Education
    • All About Preschool
    • What I Need To Know
    • Butterflies In My Tummy
    • Skills
    • Lunch
  • Family
    • Siblings
    • Travel
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Safety
    • Apps, Toys & Games
  • Holidays
    • Fall
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas & Hanukkah
    • New Year’s
    • Groundhog Day
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Parties
  • Fun Stuff
How To Teach Table Manners to Your Kids in 6 Rules

How To Teach Table Manners to Your Kids in 6 Rules

November 17, 2021 by Rachel Raybin 1 Comment

Manners are essential in my book. When you teach table manners to your child they will be accepted and praised everywhere they go. Helping kids learn to stay seated and refrain from throwing cut-up grapes all over the table is an skill that is looked for in preschool classrooms. With practice your kids will learn to wait their turn, to have their juice boxes opened, and will even say please (mostly) without being prompted.

Kids sometime have trouble sitting for an entire dinner and a little manners refresher course is necessary before a big, long holiday meal like Thanksgiving. These are the 6 essential rules to teach table manners to your kids.

1. Temper Your Expectations

It really is a lot to expect little kids to sit still for longer than 15-20 minutes at a time. Be patient with your kids and understand exactly what they’ll be capable of. The kids’ table is great for older kids who can eat without being prompted and entertain each other, but for toddlers and preschoolers it’s better to seat them beside you for mid-meal course correction.

2. Set Expectations for Your Kids

Kids really benefit from lots of advance prep. Like all people we do best when we know what’s required of us. If you’re preparing for a big family gathering like Thanksgiving talk about the meal and what the rules are starting a week or two before. Use family dinnertime to teach table manners beforehand. Practice sitting still, using a napkin, asking for things politely, refusing food without loud shouts, using utensils just for food, and whatever manners you know Grandma will appreciate. Remind them gently when they bend or break the rules and offer lots of positive feedback. If you have picky eaters, use this time to talk up the menu as well, so they’ll be excited about. You can call food chicken if it helps. We eat a lot of “chicken-pork” and “chicken-fish” at my house.

3. Practice A Lot

Practicing manners, even if it’s just during your Saturday morning dress-up tea party, is the best way to instill good habits. Practice makes perfect and teaching table manners is no exception.

4. Write Down the Rules

When you teach table manners you’re teaching behavior. Writing the rules down makes them important and easier to remember. Make a colorful poster with illustrations or magazine cutouts for a strong visual reminder of mealtime manners. Some mom ninjas I know are able to point to their rule sheets and correct their children without saying a single word. Let your kid help decorate the poster so it’s a fun project and the act of creation may even cement the lessons faster.

5. Use Small Portions for New Food

For the big holiday gatherings we may pile food on our own plate higher than usual. Giving your preschooler large portions will only overwhelm them. Start with their favorites and offer small bites of unfamiliar dishes.

6. Plan After Meal Distractions

If it’s inappropriate to let kids leave the table plan a small craft like a sticker sheet or coloring place mats to keep their minds and hands occupied. Small blocks, dolls, puzzles or lacing sheets also work well. We highly recommend against bringing out any digital devices. This is a habit that’s hard to break once it’s started. Kids need to learn to entertain themselves with what’s around them.

These 6 rules are the best way to teach table manners to your child for dinnertime at home or a big family holiday meal.

Related Posts

  • role playing reduces school anxietyUse Role Playing To Relieve School Anxieties In Your Child
  • 3 steps to dining out with your kids3 Steps to Dining Out With Your Kids
  • Family Portraits without the fussCreate the Picture Perfect Family Portrait Without the Fuss
  • Divorce Who Gets the Kids on the HolidaysDivorce: Who Gets the Kids on the Holidays?
  • Kid in glasses6 Ways to Make Your Kid the Smartest One In The Class

Filed Under: Meal Time Tagged With: behavior, dinner, eating, how to, manners, mealtime, picky eaters, practice, preschoolers, table manners, thanksgiving, toddlers

« Create the Picture Perfect Family Portrait Without the Fuss
Airplane Etiquette Tips for Flying With Kids »

Comments

  1. Lewis Hanan says

    November 15, 2015 at 10:26 am

    This should be a staple for all who have children dab some adults

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

be in the know

  • Join the thousands of others. Don't miss out on the insider information.
  • Not required, but we like to be polite.
  • Unsubscribe whenever. We won't sell, share or spam your email. Period.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

prepare your child for school

Butterflies In My Tummy Poster

Cart

Like us on Facebook

About the Author

Rachel holds a BS in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Innovative and academically forward in her successful “Mommy and Me” curriculum and interactive birthday parties, Rachel was encouraged by her large following of dedicated parents and their children to develop a preschool program. Read More...

Copyright © 2025 · The Mother Load Company, L.L.C.