Do you think children have manners by mistake? Have you ever wondered why children have no manners? Perhaps a look back at the early years can give us a clue.
Learning manners starts early in life. As babies grow into toddlers, they also begin to learn proper manners and behavior. They learn by watching adults behave and often copy exactly what adults do.
I remember when my daughter was only 2 years old. She had always worked from home and often had to talk to clients on the phone. We also had a dedicated phone line in the house that was for my business. So of course when I answered the phone it was a very professional greeting. Different from how he could answer her home phone. One day, my 2-year-old daughter was playing when I heard her say to her doll “quiet please, I need to speak to a customer,” then she proceeded to answer her phone in that professional work voice she’s heard so many times from me. This has been one of my favorite childhood stories of hers.
The purpose of sharing my little story was to demonstrate how children learn from their observations of everyday life. Each child may have different versions of playing house based on their specific situations, but the importance remains the same. They are reinforcing social expectations. Therefore, it is crucial that adults behave the way they would like their children to behave.
If you tend to yell or yell, act agitated all the time, or just behave in an unfavorable manner, chances are your child behaves the same way. When difficult situations arise, it is important to remain calm and focused, especially in the presence of a child because you want them to learn to deal with such situations in the same calm and focused way.
My daughter, now 18 and in college, has a part-time job as a receptionist. When I call her at work, I am so proud to hear her answer the phone in that professional, upbeat, and courteous mansion.
So, the moral of the story: Mind your manners and they will too!
