Teaching manners to children at an appropriate age

. Birth to 12 months: To become familiar with being in groups with other babies and toddlers; waving bye-bye, responding with smiles, laughs and clapping, car seat/riding etiquette, social interaction at meals.

. Ages 1 to 3 years: Greetings and introductions; saying please, hi and bye; basic table behavior, car behavior, public behavior.

. Ages 3 to 5 years: Showing sympathy, sharing, winning and losing graciously, learning conversation skills, staying at table until done, then asking to be excused, party and shopping behavior.

. Ages 6 to 10 years: Considerate behavior, balancing tact and honesty, respect for school personnel and others in the community, good sportsmanship, conversation and telephone manners, helping with meals, guest and hosting manners.

. Ages 11 to 14 years: Taking part in negotiating consequences, dating manners, good grooming and cleanliness, treating family members with respect, body language manners, correct use of table utensils, job manners, appropriate clothing.

. Ages 15 to 18 years: Negotiation, disagreeing or arguing without rudeness, tolerance and respect to diverse individuals, good leadership, phone messages taken and delivered, all manners associated with hosting or being a guest at parties, interview etiquette.

? From “The Gift of Good Manners,” by Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning