The phrase “table manners” may sound a bit outdated, but the truth is that teaching them never goes out of style. Babies and toddlers aren’t born with table manners (although that’s great!). So as parents, we have a responsibility to mold our children into polite, respectful, and gracious people who help honor the sanctity of family meals. Family meals have been scientifically proven to be essential for child development and family strength. They can reduce the risk of depression and substance abuse, help families eat healthier, boost self-esteem and resilience, and more. Table manners can help make mealtimes more enjoyable, promote healthy relationships, develop social skills, and establish family order and peace when chaos can easily become the norm. Implementing table manners early will help your child understand what to expect in a social setting outside of the home. It can take a long time to develop good table manners, so be patient with your child and teach them these skills as soon as they are ready to eat.
Here are 10 tips to teach your little chewer table manners.
Table Manners for Babies (6-12 Months)
Teach a High Chair to Eat
You may feel that table manners are not appropriate for this age group, but once your child starts eating, you can start teaching table manners in an age-appropriate way. Having your baby eat in a high chair is table manners 101 for this age. Your message to your baby is that there is a time and place for eating, and that eating happens while sitting.
Start Washing Your Hands Regularly
Handwashing is an important eating act that you can start as early as possible. While sitting in a high chair, clean your baby’s hands with wipes and repeat this before all meals. As they grow, you can wash your hands in the sink together.
Create a Positive Feeding Environment
The most important thing now is to create a positive environment for babies to learn to Xi and enjoy food. You can maintain positive mealtimes by resisting the urge to let your baby take a few more bites. At this age, babies will show that they are full by closing their lips, turning their heads, holding food in their mouths, or spitting it out.
Introducing Plates, Bowls, Cups, And Spoons
Six months is the best age to introduce breast milk or formula in a sippy cup or small open cup. You can also add a small amount of your baby’s food to a plate or bowl. Around eight months, babies show greater interest in their own feeding. While your baby is perfectly fine to pick up foods like pea puree, chopped boiled eggs or avocado chunks, encourage them to spoon foods like yogurt, wheat cream or puree. Since babies usually don’t master spoon skills until around 15 to 18 months, there can be a lot of confusion and spillage.
Toddlers (12 Months to 36 Months)
Start your meal with prayers, blessings, or reflections
Regardless of your religious beliefs, starting your dinner time with a few words can set the tone for your meal. Additionally, it can encourage people to show gratitude to those who helped prepare food and set an example of expressing gratitude. The good thing is that there is a few minutes of silence before eating. Your child might want to chime in too!
Teach “Please” and “Thank You”
While it is almost impossible to teach young children to sit quietly instead of squirming and fidgeting, it is doable to teach children to say “please” and “thank you.” But don’t expect them to say that every time! It’s helpful to speak in this way in everyday conversations, so the whole family uses friendly words (and adults too!). Good table manners are exemplary at this age.
Help Your Child Keep Food Where It Should Be (Not on the Floor!)
Some little babies may start throwing spaghetti all over the place around 12 months. Food throws occur for a variety of reasons: when babies finish eating, when they need attention, or simply out of curiosity and a desire to explore. Toddlers love to make you angry, so try to stay calm when they behave this way. This also helps to avoid laughing at these behaviors, otherwise your child will want to do more and try to please you. Don’t say phrases like “we won’t throw food on the floor,” but tell them what behavior is acceptable. Try:”Our food stays on our plates.” At 12 months of age, toddlers can show that they don’t like a particular food. Some parents may place a small “no thanks” bowl on a tray for food that the child doesn’t want to eat.
Eliminate Distractions
Toddlers are easily distracted by screens and toys when eating. Keep toys and screens out of sight to help them focus on food and family during meals. This rule should apply to the whole family as well! Engage in conversations at meals and encourage discussion at the dinner table. Talking more at meals is good for everyone and helps develop your child’s language skills.
Praise Good Dining Behavior
If you notice that your child is doing well in using utensils, staying seated, or biting into new foods, please recognize them. Consider saying something like,”I noticed you tried a new food; You’re so brave,” or “You’ve done a great job poking green beans with your fork.” Not only will you build their confidence and self-esteem, but they will also be more likely to repeat this good behavior in the future. (You can enhance this compliment by gossiping about your child’s good table manners!)
Show Your Child How to Use a Napkin
Putting a napkin on your child’s lap may not be useful; However, you can show them how to use it to keep their faces and hands clean while eating! At first, they may apply ketchup to their face instead of actually wiping it off. The important thing is that they are learning Xi, and the more they Xi practice, the more they will become a Xi habit.