A Children's Tea Party - The Best Way To Teach Your Kids Manners And Etiquette

Good manners and proper etiquette are so vitally important in becoming refined and socially acceptable adults. You can start teaching your kids proper etiquette today in a fun way by hosting a children's tea set party.

The most fun and efficient way I've found is to have children's tea parties with my own kids. It allows me to teach my children of the proper place setting positions that even we as adults sometimes get confused. This in turn will give our kids more confidence and better social behavior when they mature and become adults.

Prior to starting the tea party, seat the kids down and show them how to properly place the dining utensils. For example, the plate is in the middle, the tea cups and saucers are on the right, knights and spoons are on the right, and fork and napkin on the left side. Show them how to properly place a napkin on their laps and get them to check their posture and seating position by making an example of yourself. No slouching!

Now on to the next step. Using yourself as an example again, pick up your tea cup and introduce yourself formally and politely to the children at the table, and have them follow your example in turns. At the same time you can teach them on politeness by using the words " please ", " excuse me ", and " thank-you ". This will be the time when you can point out to them that they should not be talking with their mouths full or slurping their tea etc..

Display courtesy and show them how passing food around the table should be done. Explain to the kids that they should only take one scone for example instead of many. This will be also a good time to teach them the importance of saying "No thank-you" when when offered food they don't want.

Start encouraging your children when they do something right and show proper etiquette. Let them know this as children respond greatly to praise. In order to turn kids into refined mature adults, constant gentle reminders are the key. You should also show them by example on how to thank the host of the party for a great meal, and how to greet, take coats, and also serve appetizers to their guests. Proper etiquette and good manners are important not only on the dining table but also off it.

After the tea party, award each child with a little certificate that you've created for completing the etiquette course successfully, as this just helps remind them on what they've learned on the day. As mentioned before, kids love compliments ( and so do adults )!


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Has this article given you some great ideas on how to host a successful tea party and teaching your kids on etiquette? If so you might want to get more free information at the Children's Tea Set blog.