Manners: Beyond Please and Thank You

In these early years we set the groundwork for the type of language that our children will use as well as how they will use it. This is where manners and politeness in your child's environment enter the picture.

Starting from the beginning, keep these tips in mind:

1. Use language in front of your child that you would wish him or her to learn. Even if your child is just an infant.

2. The relationship between you and your spouse will be the primary example of appropriate language use that your child learns. Think about the ethics, manners, level of politeness, discussion, ways of disagreeing, and so forth that you would like him or her to learn from you.

3. Speak to your child as if he or she is an intelligent and worthwhile person, and that is what you will receive that the end! Make sure whomever cares for your child in your absence shares this view.