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~ Buy the Book Now ~

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Dear Parents,

Etiquette is more than just manners and magic. It is also about three fundamental principles: respect, consideration, and honesty. Even though your toddler is too young to seriously grasp these principles, if you teach basic manners now, you'll be building a climate that reflects respect, consideration, and honesty…

and magic!

Teaching manners to toddlers can be challenging. They are bundles of energy, curiosity, and unrestrained joy in their widening worlds. They are also beginning to acquire basic social skills—using magic words and table manners, sharing, and taking turns. These are the underpinnings of etiquette and good manners. By helping your toddlers acquire these skills, you are helping them build a firm foundation for all the manners still to come.

There are two basic strategies that should guide you as you teach manners to any child regardless of age:

1. Know what to expect, and then expect it. Take time to learn what your child is capable of developmentally. Then expect neither too much or too little!
2. The Golden Rule of Parenting—always behave the way you want your child to behave.

Your children will learn the most from watching you. If you tell them to do one thing and then you do another, they will do what you do, not what you say. Respect them, show them what consideration is, and be honest in the kindest ways. Then the manners you teach will be meaningful and will last a lifetime.

Happy manners,
Cindy and Peggy