Manners Activity for Kids

Manners demonstrate respect, courtesy and common sense. By teaching children manners such as always saying "please" and "thank you," not interrupting others while they speak, cleaning up after themselves and proper table manners, you give kids a lesson that they can take into adulthood. Manner activities help not only to teach kids manners, but also to teach them why they are so important.

Books on Manners

Kids love stories, so let their favorite characters teach them about manners. If your child (or the children in your classroom) loves Clifford the Big Red Dog, read him "Clifford's Manners" by Norman Bridweel. For Berenstain Bears fans, read "The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners" by Jan and Stan Berenstain. Other manner books include: "Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum" by Deborah Blumenthal, "How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?" by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague and "Monster Manners" by Andrew Glass. These books demonstrate good manners and suitable behaviors while entertaining the children.

Manners Money

Reward good manners at school with manners money. Each week, an anonymous teacher, administrator or other school employee gets assigned to be the mystery manners person. When this person overhears a kids using good manners, he awards the student with a 25-cent coupon for the school store. Since kids don't know who the manners person is, they are encouraged to demonstrate good manners all the time in case that person is within hearing range. If your school doesn't have a school store, hand out candy, quarters or some other small prize. Also, feature the students' name in morning announcements and the PTA newsletter. Parents can use this same strategy at home by contributing change to their child's piggy bank.

Table Manners Dinner

Table manners, such as chewing with your mouth closed, properly setting a table and using a napkin, show respect to the person who prepared the meal as well as fellow diners. Spend a week teaching students proper manners, then let them show off their new skill to their parents at semi-formal school meal. As parents prepare the meal, students set the table and wear their best clothes. When the parents serve the meal, the kids say "please" and "thank you" and keep their elbows off the table. The meal also serves as a reward for all their hard work learning manners.

Meal Time Map

The proper way to set a table with multiple forks and plates can even confuse a grown adult. To help students learn and remember where the salad plate goes in relationship to the bread and butter plate, or which fork is the salad fork, give them a labeled map of a properly set table. Using the map as a guide, have them set a table using paper and plastic dishware. You can also use pictures of glasses, plates, forks and spoons. Once they get the hang of it, take away the guide and let the kids practice setting the table on their own.