Twenty Manners for Five-Year-Olds

Eliza Clark
May 3, 2012

In the span of early childhood, turning five is a huge milestone. Five usually means the end of the preschool years and the beginning of kindergarten. Five means joining the ranks of the "big kids" (most of the time). Five means entering a wider world full of new teachers and friends.

Before our five-year-olds head off to their new adventures in new schools, we want them to know how to mind a number of basic manners. We've been inculcating these habits of consideration and politeness since the early days, and we hope our (still) little ones will remember to: 

1. Introduce themselves.
2. Shake hands.
3. Say "Please."
4. Say "Thank you."
5. Say "Excuse me" to get someone's attention.
6. Ask permission.
7. Apologize using a full sentence: "I'm sorry for..."
8. Answer when spoken to.
9. Look adults in the eye.
10. Hold the door open for others.
11. Put their napkins on their laps.
12. Chew with a closed mouth.
13. Say "Please pass..." rather than reach.
14. Never comment on how other people look unless they're giving a compliment.
15. Say "Thank you" when someone gives them a compliment.
16. Say "Excuse me" if they bump into someone.
17. Cover their mouths when they cough, sneeze or burp.
18. Simply say "No, thank you" when presented with food they don't want (rather than "I don't like it").
19. Knock on a closed door before opening it.
20. Say "Thank you" to a host.

It's a lot to remember, but we think they can do it. They're five!