Good Manners for Kids

-You're watching Parents TV. Our families, our lives. -So, does everyone have their napkin in their lap? -I do. -Jacob, do you have yours? -Learning why napkins belong on your laps instead of on top of your head is just part of the lesson these 5-year-olds are getting from Manners Coach Brian Quinn. -What I do is I go over basic setting of the table, pleases and thank you's, proper and improper noises with kids. It's a crackup. -A professional chef with 3 kids of his own, Brian teaches Table Manners 101, but he says the real lesson here isn't just etiquette, it's about respect. -Good manners, like I tell the kids, are reflection of how you feel about people around you. We have to be able to treat each other with some modicum of respect. -But teaching kids good manners and the life lessons that go along with them isn't easy. What about if I put my napkin right in the middle of my plate? -No. -What about if I put my fork right on top of my napkin? What's that? -Bad manners. -Classes like this can help. Etiquette for Kids is part of the program in many schools. It's also offered at social clubs and churches and on the internet. -Good manners is don't climb on the table. -You can't use your food with your hands. -You should not eat across the table. -You should always have good manners; otherwise, you might get kicked out. -And let your kids know the manners they show directly affect the impression they make. -We all have the opportunity at the dinner table to plant that seed of civility, of respect to one another. And it starts with a knife, and fork, and spoon. -Thanks for watching Parents TV. Our families, our lives. Your new video source for parenting.