Good manners are a great foundation for every child. When kids are taught at a young age to interact with others politely and respectfully, this positive behavior can reduce conflict, build self-confidence and make them more likely to succeed in life.

Developing good manners may not come easily to most children. In today’s fast-paced society, kids often spend hours playing video games and watching television, which reduces opportunities to develop social skills. In spite of these challenges, parents can still help their kids learn to treat others with kindness.

Below are five steps to help your child learn basic manners:

1)   Model good behavior. Children are always watching what adults do. If your child sees you being courteous in the grocery store or saying “please” and “thank you” at the dinner table, they will try to emulate this positive behavior. Children who are treated with respect learn to respect others.

2) Give positive reinforcement. Learning basic manners takes a lot of time and practice. When you see your child exhibiting good manners, such as sharing toys with other kids or asking for permission to do something, praise him. Children love approval, so celebrate every victory, no matter how small.

3) Practice with your child. Role-playing is an excellent way to demonstrate good manners. You and your children can pretend to have a party with their toys. Encourage your kids to greet “guests” by saying “Thank you for coming.” Observe if your child is saying “please” and “thank you” and gently correct them if they forget.

4) Be patient. Good manners aren’t learned overnight. Sometimes your child may pick his nose or interrupt when you’re speaking. When you observe bad behavior, don’t get upset. Simply remind your child about the importance of being courteous. Eventually, demonstrating good manners will become a habit.

5) Use dinner time to display good manners. Meal time is a great opportunity to practice and reinforce good manners with your children. When they first sit down for dinner, quiz them on the rules. You can make sure they come to the table with clean hands and use utensils properly. You can remind them not to chew with their mouth open.

Instilling good manners in your child can be a rewarding experience with many benefits. Other parents and teachers will view your son or daughter as a little leader. Children will learn respect for themselves and others. Practice, patience and praise will go a long way in helping your child to become more respectful and polite.