Table Manners For Preschoolers

Mealtimes may be messy business for preschool aged children. Your preschooler's school will be thankful if you teach him some important skills and table manners before kindergarten. Help your preschooler perfect mealtime skills and manners through practice at home.

What mealtime skills does a kindergarten student need?

-Hand Washing

-Use of utensils

-Staying seated, until being excused

-Keeping food on the plate

-Eating/chewing with a closed mouth

-Asking for what is needed

-Asking to be excused

How can I teach my preschooler these skills?

Mealtime skills are best developed by practice. Provide your preschooler an opportunity to practice these skills. Make sure you are washing hands before each meal. Have the table set, including sliverware. Talk to your preschooler about mealtime expectations in a way they understand.



Develop mealtime routines for your family. If meals usually consist of fast food in front of the television; learning table manners will not be easy, after all not many people use a fork on chicken nuggets and french fries. Figure out what you want mealtimes to look like and make the changes in your family routines.



Set a good example for your preschoolers. Most children mimic what they see. If you are not eating as a family and instead eat burgers out of the family car, your preschooler learns this is how meals are eaten. Sit down with your children, use your manners and demonstrate the skills your child will need when they enter kindergarten.

Should I set mealtime rules?

Rules are a good way to teach your preschooler what is okay during mealtime and what is not okay. Keep the rules simple and easy for a child to understand. A few simple rules that can easily be put in place for families include:

-Stay seated during mealtime. Don't get up and run around.

-Use silverware instead of fingers. Don't use fingers to pick up cooked vegetables, canned fruits or similar foods.

-Practice "please" and "thanks." Manners are important. Enough said.

-Respect the rest of the family. This rule covers about anything from eating with your mouth closed to politely declining unwanted food.

If your preschooler has not practiced table manners and learned good mealtime skills, now is the time to provide them the opportunity to do so. Develop some mealtime routines and rules. Demonstrate good manners to your preschooler. Serve foods that allow your preschooler to practice using silverware. Eat at the table and enjoy each other's company. Your child will enjoy the extra time spent as a family.