- 1). Lead by example. Many children model their own habits and behaviors after that of their parents. Exhibit all of the table manners and etiquette that you want your children to learn during every meal. Practicing what you preach should also give you more authority and credibility in your child's eyes. For example, when you instruct your remind your child to sit up straight at the table you can say "See how I'm sitting? This is the posture to use."
- 2). Instruct your children to say polite phrases such as "Please," "Thank you" and "Excuse me." Inform the child that he should say "please" when asking for any item on the table and say "thank you" each time he receives something. Tell your child that it is polite to ask to be excused from the table when he is finished eating or if he needs to leave the table for any reason.
- 3). Show your child how to chew with his mouth closed. Take a bite of food to show how to chew correctly and to avoid smacking your mouth. Inform your child how impolite it is to talk while eating and instruct him to completely swallow before taking or engaging in a conversation.
- 4). Demonstrate how to correctly sit at the table. Use your own body to demonstrate the proper posture to use at the dinner table, which is to sit straight up, not to slouch and never to put your elbows on the table. Instruct your child how to properly use his fork, knife and spoon. Explain that very few foods are meant to be eaten by hand, such as appetizers and pizza. Show the child how to properly hold a knife and fork to cut meat, if need be, or how to eat a messy dish such as spaghetti.
- 5). Inform your children about appropriate dinner conversation. Explain that some topics, especially those that people could find gross or offensive -- are not polite topics to mention at the dinner table. Provide your child with topics that are acceptable to talk about, such as work, school, sports or a book he is currently reading.
- 6). Address impolite behavior as soon as possible. Bad habits are harder to break the longer that they persist. Attempt to correct your child's impolite table etiquette at the first offense by giving him a friendly reminder, such as "Remember not to talk with your mouth full" or "You forgot to say 'thank you.'"
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