Table Manners and Table Setting

How to act and what to do at the table Table Manners

Ages 3-6 Ages 7-12 Ages 3-6 General Table Manners: Ages 3-6

1. Always wash your hands before sitting down at the table 2. Make sure you are in a safe seat 3. Sit still without moving around a lot 4. Put your napkin in your lap 5. Say your prayer before you begin eating 6. Chew with your mouth closed 7. Ask politely for more food 8. If you don’t like the food, do not say, “Yuck!” 9. Say thank you to whoever made the food 10. Wipe your mouth before you leave the table Ages 7-12 General Table Manners: Ages 7-12

1. Wash your hands before sitting down at the table 2. Ask if you can help with anything 3. Place your napkin in your lap 4. Wait for everyone to have their food before you begin eating 5. Say your prayer before you begin eating 6. While eating, chew with your mouth closed 7. Do not make rude noises while eating (burping, loud slurping, etc.) 8. Ask to leave the table when you are finished eating 9. Thank the cook 10. Pick up your plate and offer to clean up Table Setting… for All Ages!

Tips for Setting the Table

The picture to the right gives you a visual for how you should set the table:

1. The plate goes in the middle 2. The fork goes on the left side of the plate. The word fork has 4 letters; the word left also has 4 letters. This is an easy way to remember to put the fork to the left of the plate. 3. The knife and spoon go on the right side of the plate. The words knife and spoon both have 5 letters, and so does the word right. This is an easy way to Picture Source: The Washington Post remember that the knife and the spoon (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/dont-disregard-table-setting-rules- at-your-holiday-dinner-party-they-still-matter/2016/11/28/d22accca-b1a4-11e6-861 go to the right of the plate. 6-52b15787add0_story.html) Fun Table Setting Tips

1. If you hold up your left hand and connect your pointer finger with your thumb, you make the letter b. This is an easy way to remember to put the bread on the left side of the plate. 2. If you hold up your right hand and connect your pointer finger with your thumb, you make the letter d. This is an easy way to remember to put the drink on the right side of the plate.

Picture Source: Clise Etiquette (https://www.cliseetiquette.com/b-d-success/) ● The more you eat together at the table, the more opportunities you have to practice these skills with your child ● Your child will follow what you practice, so demonstrating these skills will help with reinforcement ● Keep in mind that different aged children will develop these skills at different rates; make sure to give them grace and understanding while learning ● As your child develops these skills, they will be more confident and have an easier time interacting with other adults in their everyday lives ● Be sure to give your child praise when they practice their table manners ○ Give them specific feedback: “Great job chewing with your mouth closed!” ○ Tell them why it is a good habit: “It is not enjoyable for others to see the food in your mouth when they’re trying to eat.”

Note to Parents