A Lifetime at the Kids' Table?

Good table manners are important skills children can develop when they are young and benefit from for a lifetime. Parents play an integral role as up-front models for proper table behavior. Here are some basics with which to start.

Teach your child to place a napkin on his lap and use it. Encourage him to eat with a fork unless the food is meant to be eaten with fingers. Help your child to remember to keep his free arm and elbow in his lap while eating and not to rest them on the table.

Remind your child to eat slowly and avoid putting too big of a bite into her mouth, which is unsafe and also rude. Show her how to eat with her mouth closed.

Say "please" and "thank you" when you want something to be passed to you. Your kids will follow suit. Remind children to refrain from making negative comments about what they are served. They may choose not to eat what’s on their plate instead.

And finally, wait for the entire family to finish eating before anyone leaves the table. Then encourage kids to help you clean up. Even toddlers can learn the habit of taking their sippy cup and spoon to the sink. Young children can help load the dishwasher, put away leftover food or wipe the table.

Work as a family to make manners matter. It's the most effective way to instill them.