In this articleMy child is a barbarianWhat you should be teaching your childMy child is a barbarianWhen your two-year-old spits carrot at you or gets more food on her face than in her mouth, you tend to forgive and forget. But if the story hasnt changed by the time she is ten, youre not indulgent any more. Youre worried. When will she be fit to be part of society, as we know it? Table manners definitely dont come to children naturally. They either gobble their food or push it around or off their plates. They dont eat with their fingers, they eat with their hands - often both. They put their elbows on the table, chew noisily with their mouths wide open displaying the contents of their mouths for the entire world to see. They speak with their mouths full, often spraying the person next to them with little bits of food when trying to make a point. Some children are anti-social at mealtimes, burying themselves behind a book or silently staring at the television, ignoring all attempts at conversation. Some go to the other extreme, choosing mealtimes as a battleground for wars with their siblings so that nobody else can get a word in edgeways. Boys especially think a good loud burp at the end of a meal signals their satisfaction and are surprised when you take offence. Parents often despair attempting to convert these barbarians into well-mannered members of society. What you should be teaching your child Dont chew noisily or with your mouth open. The idea is to eat with your fingers, not with your hand and definitely not with both hands. Put the napkin on your lap so that food doesnt get onto your clothes. Dont read or watch television while eating. Mealtimes should be a chance for the family to sit together and catch up on whats happening in each others lives. If you need to leave the table, excuse yourself before going. Do not announce loudly that you have to go to the bathroom. Wait till everyone has finished eating before getting up from the table. Burping is not considered polite. Dont talk with your mouth full. Dont gobble your food. Take small bites and chew properly. Dont play with your food and finish everything that is on your plate. Use the words "please" and "thank you" when passing dishes to each other.
When your two-year-old spits carrot at you or gets more food on her face than in her mouth, you tend to forgive and forget. But if the story hasn't changed by the time she is ten, you're not indulgent any more. You're worried. When will she be fit to be part of society, as we know it?
Table manners definitely don't come to children naturally. They either gobble their food or push it around or off their plates. They don't eat with their fingers, they eat with their hands - often both. They put their elbows on the table, chew noisily with their mouths wide open displaying the contents of their mouths for the entire world to see. They speak with their mouths full, often spraying the person next to them with little bits of food when trying to make a point. Some children are anti-social at mealtimes, burying themselves behind a book or silently staring at the television, ignoring all attempts at conversation. Some go to the other extreme, choosing mealtimes as a battleground for wars with their siblings so that nobody else can get a word in edgeways. Boys especially think a good loud burp at the end of a meal signals their satisfaction and are surprised when you take offence. Parents often despair attempting to convert these barbarians into well-mannered members of society.
What you should be teaching your child
Don't chew noisily or with your mouth open.
The idea is to eat with your fingers, not with your hand and definitely not with both hands.
Put the napkin on your lap so that food doesn't get onto your clothes.
Don't read or watch television while eating. Mealtimes should be a chance for the family to sit together and catch up on what's happening in each other's lives.
If you need to leave the table, excuse yourself before going. Do not announce loudly that you have to go to the bathroom.
Wait till everyone has finished eating before getting up from the table.
Burping is not considered polite.
Don't talk with your mouth full.
Don't gobble your food. Take small bites and chew properly.
Don't play with your food and finish everything that is on your plate.
Use the words "please" and "thank you" when passing dishes to each other.
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Teaching table manners to kids make them feel comfortable and cozy when they visit any parties. My child’s school Orchids International conducts different programs and events to teach the basic disciplines to kids. I am proud to say that my son used to teach me some minor things that he learnt in his school. I have also found it to be very much useful.
I want to once u finish eating ur food in the restaurant, how to keep ur fork and spoon on the plate. One more thing is how to eat with fork and spoon specially birayani, rice etc. ( In which direction)
this article is very useful. i have a three year old daughter who does not like food. she does not like fruits also. i am working woman. pl. let me know what should i do ?
my child used to hate to do what i told her at the table she would spit out her food play with it in her hands but thanks to those wonderful tips my child now has self-control when she eats.
i have a 3yr. old and he hardly ever eats any thing. he wants to snack all the time, but on the wronge things. so we end up with a tantrum because i won't give him junk! someone please help!
the article is useful.my granddaughter(14 months), eats by herself till she is satisfied.she spits out food only when we insist that she eats more.we should offer a variety of healthy foods & respect their decision to select the items & quantity.research conducted on babies & children points out that if offered healthy choices, children eat the foods their body needs.