"Having guests to your home for dinner is a fun way for children to practice their manners. A few days before the dinner occurs, have a practice run. Pick one or two family members to pretend to be the company. Have a playful and instructional practice which demonstrates welcoming the arriving guest, taking their coats, making introductions, sharing a refreshment and conversation before the meal, calling people to dinner, helping the guest get seated, serving the meal, practicing dinnertime manners and conversation, moving from the dinner table to after dinner conversation location, and finally getting their coats upon departure. Make comments and give ideas of ways to talk, and what to do, as you act out the manners involved in each of these parts of entertaining. When everyone has mastered the manners involved, have your dinner party! "
Manners are a sign of respect towards others. Children feel important when they know how to behave around company. Teaching them these skills can be fun and is very important.
See you next week. Shelley
