5 Important Manners to Teach Young Children

By Martin’s Children’s Books

At Martin’s Children’s Books, we believe kindness and respect start early—and manners are a great way to build those values! Teaching children good manners doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, when taught with love, laughter, and creativity, manners can become part of everyday fun. Here are 5 important manners every child should learn—and how you can teach them at home!

1. Saying “Please” and “Thank You”

These simple words go a long way! Teaching children to say "please" when asking and "thank you" when receiving something helps build appreciation and respect.

Fun Tip: Make a “Thank You Challenge” at home—every time your child says it without a reminder, give them a sticker or high-five!

2. Greeting Others Kindly

A friendly “hello,” wave, or even a smile helps kids build confidence and social skills. Teaching them to look someone in the eye and greet them shows respect and warmth.

Try This: Create a morning routine where your child practices saying “Good morning!” to each family member.

3. Using Table Manners

Learning to chew with mouths closed, use napkins, and wait their turn to speak during meals teaches patience and self-control.

Try This Game: Have a “Fancy Dinner Night” with your child’s favorite meal and practice table manners together. Let them be the host!

4. Taking Turns and Sharing

Sharing isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for making friends and showing kindness. Start by practicing with toys or during group play.

Make It Fun: Use a timer during playtime and say, “Your turn, my turn!” so sharing becomes a habit they understand.

5. Apologizing When Necessary

Teaching children to say “I’m sorry” when they’ve hurt someone (even accidentally) helps them understand empathy and take responsibility for their actions.

Storytime Tip: Read a book where a character apologizes and talk about how that made the other person feel better.

Making Manners a Part of Everyday Life

Children learn best by example, so don’t forget to model these manners yourself. Read books that celebrate kindness, role-play real-life situations, and keep it positive.

At Martin’s Children’s Books, we’re here to help raise respectful, joyful readers. Check out our collection for stories that spark character-building conversations!

Let's Keep Growing Together

Which manners are you focusing on at home? Hit reply to this blog or share on social media and tag @LMChildrenBooks—we’d love to hear from you!