as they grow
3–4 YEARS Now’s the time to show your child the importance of being nice. By WeNdy To Th
Manners
Matter
It’s hard to know how polite a pre- schooler should actually be. After all, it seems like typical little-kid behavior to jump up from the dinner table
the second she’s gobbled down her
nuggets. or to forget to say thanks
when a family friend comes over and
brings her an unexpected present.
“While it’s normal for preschoolers to
still be self-centered, teaching manners
reminds them that other people in the
world matter and deserve respect,” says
Kathy hirsh-Pasek, Ph.d., professor of
psychology at Temple University, in
Philadelphia. Fortunately, this is a great
age to teach social graces because your
child is naturally eager to please you. To
develop his sense of decorum, start
working on these habits now.
BEST BEHAVIOR
Be Kind
In preschool and on the playground, taking turns, sharing, and being friendly to
other kids is the law of the land.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Point out other people
exhibiting the behaviors you’d like to see
in your kid, says Jodi Stoner, Ph.d., a
clinical psychotherapist and coauthor of
Good Manners Are Contagious. If you
make your child aware of others doing
sweet deeds, he’ll begin to identify with
the actions you’re showing him.
Kids this age are still possessive, so en-
couraging your child to share may be dif-
ficult. It can take time for him to under-
stand that he may feel uncomfortable
while someone else plays with his toy, so
be sympathetic. And be enthusiastic
when your kid offers a toy to someone or
gives her a turn on his scooter. your child
may care more about getting praise from
you than about the toy anyway.
BEST BEHAVIOR
Say Please and
Thank You
Using “magic words” may seem like just
a fun routine to your child, but these
niceties make other people feel good.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Be a role model. “Kids
love to imitate Mom and dad,” says
Roberta Golinkoff, Ph.d., professor in
the School of education at the University of delaware in Newark. But she’ll
learn to use please and thank you in everyday conversations even faster when
you praise her and react quickly to her
polite requests and responses. If she forgets, just give her a little reminder.
BES T BEHAVIOR
Don’t Interrupt
you’re on the phone with a friend and
you feel a tug on your free hand that’s so
While preschoolers are usually self-centered,
teaching manners reminds your child that other
people in the world matter and deserve respect.
SHANNON GREER. STYLING BY KIM FIELD. GROOMING BY NOELLE MARINELLI FOR ARTISTS BY NEXT.
192 August 2010 Parents
