{"id":951,"date":"2018-01-17T18:46:57","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T01:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/?p=951"},"modified":"2018-01-17T18:46:57","modified_gmt":"2018-01-18T01:46:57","slug":"good-manners-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/good-manners-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Manners at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Maria Montessori noticed that children between the ages of two and six years are particularly drawn to learning the Practical Life skills that help them develop control over their physical actions. You may have noticed that your young child wants to do things the “right” way, taking particular pleasure in being able to “do it myself.” This is also the age when children most easily learn what we might call “good manners.”<\/p>\n

Don’t Assume, but Teach and Encourage<\/p>\n

The lessons of Grace and Courtesy are included in the Montessori Practical Life curriculum: how to carry a chair and put it down quietly, how to greet a visitor to the classroom and offer refreshments, how to walk and talk quietly, how to wait for help without interrupting, etc. The Montessori teacher greets each child individually in the morning and also personalizes the farewells.<\/p>\n

Children take great pride in being able to behave in ways we adults often expect, but may have forgotten to teach them. How often have you wiped your child’s face or nose without thinking, rather than helping her learn how to do it? In\u00a0The Secret of Childhood<\/i>, Montessori wrote about the children’s response to a lesson she gave them:<\/p>\n

One day I decided to give the children a slightly humorous lesson on how to blow their noses. After I had shown them different ways to use a handkerchief …they broke out into applause. … I had no idea that such small children would applaud so enthusiastically. …I had perhaps touched a sensitive spot in their little social world. Children have a particular difficulty in blowing their noses. Since they are constantly being scolded on this score, they are sensitive about it. … But no one really teaches them how they should blow their noses.<\/i><\/p>\n

Not only is it important to teach manners, but practicing your own courteous behavior helps to reinforce the lessons. Your tone of voice, your attitude, and method of delivery will be imitated by your children…the reminders may be humorous or astonishing as you hear your own words “out of the mouths of babes.”<\/p>\n

Simple but not Easy<\/p>\n

Dr. Montessori’s primary message to both teachers and parents was to “respect the child.” This seemingly simple rule, when incorporated into the life of homes and schools, can foster peace and congeniality at home, in the larger community, and, ultimately, in the world.<\/p>\n

Today, because of our busy schedules and other priorities, we sometimes forget even the most simple courtesies. It’s easy to include these basics in your home routine:<\/p>\n