We teach the child the rules of good tone. Etiquette and behavior at the table
Great attention should be paid to the topic of etiquette in raising a child, because each parent wants his beloved child to grow up not only an educated and intelligent person, but also a cultured one who knows how to behave correctly, beautifully and intelligently in any situation.
A large role in shaping good manners must be given to the rules of behavior at the table. After all, these skills will be useful to your child at an early age, when he goes to kindergarten.
Many parents ask themselves how to instill good behavior at the table in the child, at what age it is necessary to start doing it and what methods to use for this. In order to answer all these questions, it is necessary to understand what useful habits you first of all want to cultivate in your child? If you want your baby to easily distinguish a meat fork from a fish fork, or know how to make small talk, then, of course, an early age is not suitable for this. And if this is about the elementary rules of cultural and beautiful behavior at the table, then it is necessary to begin from the moment when you teach your child to eat independently. Most often this occurs at the age of one year.
Personal example – a pledge of quick and proper formation of etiquette at the table
It is not a secret for anybody that young children in many ways copy and adopt the adult behavior pattern, it can be parents, grandparents or brothers and sisters. Therefore, pay great attention to how you yourself behave at lunch or dinner. It will be easier for the child to understand and assimilate that it is ugly to speak with your mouth full or slurp, laugh loudly or gesticulate at the table, unless he sees such an example. If your baby since birth sees that you have to wash your hands for yourself and him, that after eating, everyone says “thank you”, then in the future he won’t even think that you can behave somehow differently.
While your baby is eating in a separate children’s chair, be sure to serve his dinner table with the necessary supplies, just like an adult table. Use a deep bowl for the first dish and a flat plate for the second. After the child has mastered the food with a spoon, gradually accustom him to eat the second course with a fork. For starters, you can use a special plastic plug for kids. Then, by the time of their admission to kindergarten, the child will master the use of cutlery, and will understand that, for example, you can eat a bun or a cookie, but a fork is necessary for cutlets or cheesecakes.
A knife for the second dish, you can offer your child closer to 4-5 years old, this is exactly the age when the hand of his hand will be sufficiently formed and prepared for use of this device. Maybe the crumb can not yet fully use it when eating, but he will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
Do not forget about the napkin! This item should always be present nearby while eating. At first you will wipe his mouth with him, and closer to 1.5 years the child will be able to use a napkin and will get used to the fact that there is a need to be neat and clean.
Methods of teaching the child the rules of behavior at the table
Everyone knows that teaching children is best during the game. And table manners are no exception. Role-playing games are perfect for the little ones. Get a set of toy dishes and arrange bears, dolls and hares a dinner party. At the same time, set the table for your toy guests along with the baby. This will help the baby to explore the tableware and its application. Be sure to praise the bears and zaek for the fact that they sit straight and do not put their elbows on the table, praise the doll for washing their hands before eating and using the napkin correctly. Your baby is sure to take it all into service.
Read poems and proverbs about food and behavioral culture with your baby. Look at the pictures. It is very good if you buy or make a poster with your child – a memo about the rules of eating and hang it in the kitchen.
From 4-5 years you can gradually attract the child to the table setting before eating. At this age, all the guys love to carry out such orders and are happy to lay out napkins, forks and spoons. You can also trust to put a plate with bread or sliced. Such an attitude to eating will forever develop in the child the habit of eating not “hastily” and “on the go”, but at a beautifully served table.
What should be avoided when teaching a child good manners?
As with any training while raising a food culture in a child, there are important points that you should pay attention to and, if possible, avoid their manifestations:
Avoid harsh criticism and dissatisfaction with any manifestations of carelessness.
Do not allow your child to play or indulge in food at any age.
Even if your baby has a bad appetite, do not allow him to take food into the room, and in no case try to feed him during games or watching cartoons.
