August 29, 2007

Table Ready

Anyone who has ever tried to have a proper meal with a toddler knows what a challenge it can be. If the food isn't flung to the floor, it's smeared on everything from faces and hair to walls and ceilings.

While it may be too early to teach Junior which fork to use, table manners training can begin as soon as your wee one can sit in a high chair, according to Lisa Gaché, co-founder of Beverly Hills Manners, an etiquette training center for children and adults.

Children learn by emulation. Incorporate these key rituals into your family's daily routine now, and you'll be well on your way to a Zen eating environment sooner rather than later:
•  Wash hands before coming to the table.
•  Keep elbows off the table and chew with mouths closed.
•  Always say "please" and "thank you."
•  No watching television or talking on the phone at the table.
•  Show respect for fellow diners by not interrupting while someone is speaking.
•  Siblings should refrain from getting up from the table (unless they need to be excused to go to the restroom).
•  Do not force older children to "clean" their plates. Kids need to learn to listen to their bodies' signals that they are full.
•  Teach kids not to say "yuck" and to nicely push away the food they do not like.

For more information, visit beverlyhillsmanners.com.

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