The words "children" and table manners are hardly compatible. Still, whether you're dining at home, having dinner with friends, , good table manners for children are a crucial part of every meal. When you teach kiddos good mealtime etiquette, you're giving them vital tools for that will serve them even when they grow up. You can start to lay the groundwork when your toddler begins to talk and use utensils. And just like any other skill, this will take a while to catch on. What's important is that you keep stuff pressure-free and model the behaviors you want your child to adopt.

So, whether you have an infant who loves to make a mess, a toddler who spends more time playing than eating, or a preschooler who takes a bite and runs back to his video games, there are several ways to get your children to mind their p's and q's during mealtime. Read on to learn more.

Can Toddlers Learn Good Table Manners?

Yes and no. According to , it's all dependent on maintaining age-appropriate expectations. For instance, you can help your toddler work on several simple manners, such as sitting during mealtime and not throwing food or . However, keep in mind that she can reasonably stay still at the table for only roughly ten minutes, and this is on a good day. It is important to note that table manners are habits learned and built over a lifetime. Toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids lack the patience, impulse control, or ability to control their behavior as older children and adults do.

It isn't until 4 or 5 that young kids can more consistently control their habits. Still, you can instill some good mealtime habits in kids even at a young age.

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General Tips For Teaching Good Table Manners

You should treat mealtime as a special time for family to gather and enjoy eating together. Over the years, your kids will learn to respect this time, as well as the rules that go with it, especially when mealtime is consistently peaceful and pleasant. Also, each meal serves as a chance for children to learn how to practice proper etiquette. From waiting until everyone's been served to using their utensils properly, and exercise table manners. Just as with anything you're trying to train, be patient and consistent in your instructions, and your child will eventually get the hang of it. Here are some basics you can start your kids on:

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  Model good habits- Instead of telling your child how to, show them how it's done instead. For instance, keep conversations positive and avoid criticizing. The goal is to demonstrate appropriate habits, but expect that it will take time and constantly repeating over a couple of years for your child's brain to develop the connections to help her understand and be able to apply the habits you're striving for. According to , toddlers need to be constantly reminded through telling and showing them what you expect from them, including the consequences for when they don't follow the rules.
  


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  Acknowledge mistakes- Let your child know that even you have a hard time behaving correctly all the time and that the goal is to give it their best. If you find yourself making a mistake, make it a teachable moment about being polite by making and accepting apologies.
  


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  Be good company during mealtime- Focus on enjoying meals together. Avoid using devices, or watching TV, or moving around to tend to other duties.
  


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  Practice consistently- When you teach a new behavior, maintain consistency. Set and repeat understandable expectations and use gentle reminders to emphasize them. Preschoolers, especially, are super-slow, and attention-seekers, so they need constant reminders to reinforce good table manners. Draw pictures or write down mealtime expectations and ask them to remind you the rules when they come to the table. Thank them when they use proper table manners and cue them when they make a mistake.
  


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  Washing up before dinner- According to , coming to the table with their face and hands clean is a critical healthy hygiene habit, and it shows respect for the person who prepped the meal and those at the dinner table. Train them to wait until every other person has been served before eating as it's a sign of respect.
  


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  Gently remind your child to chew with his mouth closed and avoid talking when his mouth is full. These are the two cardinal table manners' rules.
  


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  Teach your child to be polite. If they want seconds or for someone to pass them something, they should this request with "please." Also, they should say thank you to whoever prepped the meal and anyone serving them.
  

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