Teaching manners and etiquettes to preschoolers

Preschoolers may learn a lot by observing  but still manners and behaviour need to be taught to them. Since they become capable of following instructions at this age and fully understand what they are being told, this is the best time to explain the importance of good manners and proper behaviour to them. At this age they are willing to learn new things and so, with suffiecient encouragement they can be easily taught how to behave in different situations.
           Instilling manners and values in child will not only help him earn good reputation in society but will also reflect on your parenting skills. It will enable him to adjust well to his surroundings and hence have a positive effect on his future life. Some basic manners that the parents need to teach are :

Magic words (Thankyou, excuse me, please, sorry) : Parents can teach their children when and where to use these words. Better to set an example themselves than talking about it. Parents should frequently use these words with their children and others as well. When situation arises, they should remind their child to use these words like saying Thank you when somebody helps them or gives them something. Parents can explain it to their child that when they use magic words other person becomes willing to help them. 

Greeting People  : We all greet friends and family whenever we meet them, either with a smile, handshake or by saying 'hello'. Children may have observed it but they will never realise its importance untill told.  So now is the time for parents to explain the importance of greetings. Children can develop this habit with frequent reminders. Parents can either remind them before the guests arrive or they reach the friends place, or gently ask them to greet them after they themselves have finished exchanging hi's and hello's.

Sharing and caring : Children must understand the importance of sharing. At this age the children are very possesive about their toys and other things. So naturally they don't want to share them with other children and even their friends. Parents or caregivers can explain the benefits of sharing to them, that it will help them make many more friends and they will also be able to play with their friend's toys. Before his friends come visiting to his place, parents can remind him to share his toys with his friend and that his friend will not take his toys with him and they will always remain with him. If the children fight for the same toy it can be replaced by a closely resembling toy or distract them by introducing a new game.

Hurting other children : Children should be taught not to push, bite or hurt other children in any possible ways. If they hurt someone accidently or unknowingly, they must immediatly appologise for their behaviour. Parents should make it clear to the children that such behaviour is unacceptable. It can be explained that if they indulge in such activities like pushing , shouting, biting nobody will play with them and playing alone is no fun.

Telling lies : Children should be encouraged to tell truth to their parents orcaregivers. Sometimes due to fear of punishmentor embarrasment children begin to tell lies. In these situations parents need to act calmly and explain the consequences of lies. They can ask the child to tell the truth as it is not a good habit to tell lies. At times when children lie to get attention, it is in the best interest of the child that parents ignore his lies. But the parents must understand that if their child is telling lies they need to rebuild the trust and understanding with him.
 With constant reminding and frequent praising the children can learn these basic manners and etiquettes and hence become socially acceptable.