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Rules of behavior at a party for the youngest
A visit with a child involves a fun and relaxed pastime. On the other hand, the baby should behave decently, because the rules of etiquette have not been canceled. How can I teach him these things? And what should a child know when going to visit?
From a young age
It is important that the rules of behavior of children at a party do not become news for your child. It makes sense to lay the foundations of politeness from the first years of life. Already at the age of one year, babies are sensitive to intonation. Therefore, when giving a crumb a plate of porridge, you need to gently say: “Bon appetit, eat well!” And if the baby hands you a toy, thank him with a smile. From the age of 2-3, you can start learning good manners in detail: learn polite words, explain how to properly talk to adults and peers, how to behave in an unfamiliar place, etc.
It is convenient to learn the basics of etiquette with the help of fairy tales and cartoons. Using the example of different characters, you can clearly explain how to do the right thing in specific situations. Even better, if you come up with instructive stories with your baby together or learn poems and proverbs dedicated to etiquette. The most obvious way to learn the rules of good taste is in the form of a game. Educational board games can be found in any children’s store. If time permits, make your own cardboard cards with examples of good and bad behavior, and then play out role-playing situations with your child, during which you explain in detail how to behave.
Psychologists say that the understanding of the elementary principles of etiquette forms in children the correct idea of responsibility, conscience and morality in the future.
Preparing for the visit
Adults also need to learn a few simple lessons of politeness when going to visit. You should inform your friends or acquaintances about your visit in advance, especially if you intend to bring your favorite child with you. If this is a home celebration, you should come exactly at the appointed time. In extreme cases, it is permissible to be late for 5-10 minutes. A longer delay, as well as an early arrival, indicates disrespect. To go to visit empty-handed is not accepted in any country in the world. A small cake, a box of sweets or fruit is quite suitable for the role of a gift. Allow the child to choose a treat for himself, and he will forever learn this simple truth.
In addition, discuss several important points with him in advance. Explain to your child that in an unfamiliar house you should never be naughty, talk loudly or laugh, run around the apartment shouting, take other people’s things without permission, look into closed rooms, cabinets and drawers. Remind your child about the rules of speech etiquette. If he is already 3 years old, it is important that the words “hello”, “thank you”, “please”, “sorry”, “allow” are firmly embedded in the baby’s vocabulary, so that he clearly understands their meaning and is able to use them in time.
Table etiquette
Guest etiquette for children at the table is a separate chapter of the code of good manners. If your baby from an early age has a habit of smearing porridge on the table or throwing it in all directions, this habit needs to be urgently eliminated. Explain to him that this is unacceptable, as well as talking with a full mouth, banging a spoon on a cup or unceremoniously taking food from someone else’s plate.
The child should definitely learn that you should always wash your hands before eating. At the table, you should sit calmly, do not sway in your chair, do not swing your legs and do not put your elbows on the table. You need to eat carefully: do not rush, do not slurp, do not dirty your clothes and tablecloth. If necessary, the lips or hands should be wiped with a clean napkin, and if it is not at hand, politely ask the owners.
The same should be done if you want to try some dish that is placed far away. No need to reach across the table for it, hitting glasses or pushing other guests. If the baby does overturn or accidentally break something, he should not be afraid in any case. In this case, it is enough to ask for forgiveness politely and no longer focus on a small incident.
If the child is already confident enough to hold a spoon in his hands, he can independently put food on a plate. The main thing is not to climb into the common dish with your device, but to use a special large spoon or spatula for this. At the same time, the portion should not be too large. First, it is indecent to be greedy. Secondly, the food may simply not like it and not to touch it would be disrespectful.
The proposed dishes should be eaten with a spoon or fork, and not with your hands, even if it is a cake or a piece of cake. And at the end of the meal, the kid should definitely thank the hosts of the evening for the treats and attention.
And, perhaps most importantly — the child will never learn the children’s rules of etiquette at a party and anywhere without the personal example of their own parents. After all, a good example is known to be contagious.