A Guide to Teaching Kids Table Manners

It’s high time they learnt them.

Remember the break time at school when the children would spread their napkins on the table as a mat and place their lunch boxes on them?

Those first lessons on dining etiquettes. I repeated the same exercise with my students. Passed on a legacy, I feel.

Dining etiquettes add a certain refinement to the dining experience, don’t you think so? And yet that’s the skill that often takes a backseat when you are teaching children about social skills. I wonder why?

Learning proper table manners is not a social nicety; it’s a skill which will greatly impact the child’s confidence during social interactions.

Importance of Dining Etiquette

Table manners are disappearing faster along with the other manners among the children, and others too. You can hear the snigger of derision when you see someone comfortably use the fork and knife.

To be part of the ‘it’ crowd, it’s better to hide your inefficiencies behind the cloak of boorish behaviour than proudly flaunt your skills.

Guzzling from the can directly instead a glass, taking a large bite, stuffing your mouth and chomping your food with the mouth open, is all acceptable as a show of rebelling against the society’s mores.

So be it.

But you’ve to understand that practising dining etiquette exhibits your confidence in yourself. You create a good impression on others about your skills, your finesse, and cultured behaviour. It will surely elicit respect from others.

If children learn these skills early on, it will boost their self-esteem. By instilling proper dining etiquette from a young age, children can feel more comfortable and confident in social settings.

Common Challenges and Dealing with Them

It’s not restricted to the use of the proper utensils, be it forks or chopsticks, most kids find it difficult to even sit still when eating.

They follow the directions given by the teacher in the classroom. But once back home, if it’s not insisted on, children quickly ignore it.

It’s the lack of exposure or role modelling that contributes to the children not feeling comfortable with acquiring the correct dining etiquettes. It all feels very alien to them.

Add to it, it’s become almost acceptable to park yourself in front of the TV as you eat. So the utensils are kept to a minimum. Eating at home is hence reduced to an automated process essential for sustenance; it’s no longer a sensory experience where you enjoy the taste, smells, texture or layout.

This explains the loud and uncouth behaviours exhibited by children, often seen when you go to restaurants or eating joints.

These challenges can lead to discomfort and embarrassment during dining experiences when you step out in public places, as a child or later in the adult life.

You haven’t learnt them as a child yet you’re expected to master it, practice it, as an adult.

Cultivating Dining Etiquette

Like everything else, it has to begin at home. Create a conducive dining environment by setting the table and having mealtime routines. Children will be used to them and have no problem following them with ease.

Have a special dinner night where you serve dishes which require them to use cutlery, like fork and knife. This will give them an opportunity to practice in the privacy of the home while they get comfortable using it.

Dinner time conversations are the best part of eating together as a family. Teach the children about taking small bites, or not talking with their mouths full, and sitting properly at the table.

Keep the phones and TV’s switched off to ensure better communication at the dining table (this too is an essential part of dining etiquettes).

Growing Up with Confidence and Social Grace

These are not some Victorian age finishing school guidelines. These are basic dining etiquettes which will be helpful to the children as they gain confidence in their social settings, be it birthday parties or classroom.

Their ease and grace will elicit compliments from friends and adults, which will further act as a positive reinforcement motivating them to master the dining etiquettes.

In short, it will contribute to the child’s overall social development and well-being.

Conclusion

Teaching kids dining etiquette is not just about following rules; it’s about instilling respect, consideration, and confidence in children as they navigate social situations, and preparing them for the future.

By prioritising dining etiquette education and providing consistent guidance and support, parents and educators can empower children to feel more comfortable and confident in various dining experiences.

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