Good Manners

The knowledge and practice of polite and respectful behaviour.

Here’s a cheerful and practical set of activities to support the social skill of good manners for home educated children. These activities help children learn how to be polite, respectful, and considerate in everyday interactions.

🧠 What Are Good Manners?

Good manners include:

• Saying please, thank you, excuse me, and sorry

• Greeting others politely

• Listening respectfully

• Sharing and taking turns

• Showing kindness and respect in words and actions

🎭 Role Play & Scenario Practice

1. Manners Role Play

• Act out everyday situations:Meeting someone new
  Asking for help
  Accidentally bumping into someone
  

• Practice polite phrases and body language.

2. “What Would You Say?” Game

• Present scenarios and ask:“What would you say if someone gave you a gift?”
  “How do you ask for something nicely?”
  

• Reinforces appropriate responses.

3. Puppet Manners Show

• Use puppets to act out good and poor manners.

• Children help correct the puppet’s behavior.

📚 Storytelling & Reflection

4. Read Books About Kindness & Respect

• Choose stories that highlight polite behavior.

• Discuss:“What did the character do well?”
  “What could they have done differently?”
  

5. Manners Journal

• Children write or draw about a time they used good manners.

• Include prompts like:“I said thank you when…”
  “I helped someone by…”
  

6. Create a Manners Poster

• Design a colorful poster with “Top 10 Good Manners.”

• Display it in their learning space.

🎲 Game-Based Manners Activities

7. Manners Bingo

• Create a bingo card with polite actions:“Say please”
  “Hold the door”
  “Share a toy”
  

• Mark off when completed during the week.

8. Compliment Chain

• Take turns giving compliments.

• Practice eye contact, tone, and sincerity.

9. Polite vs. Impolite Sorting Game

• Use cards with behaviors (e.g., interrupting, saying thank you).

• Sort into “polite” and “impolite” piles and discuss.

🧺 Everyday Manners Boosters

10. Table Manners Practice

• Set up a pretend or real meal.

• Practice saying “please,” “thank you,” and using utensils properly.

11. Greeting Practice

• Practice different greetings:“Hello!”
  “Good morning!”
  “Nice to meet you!”
  

• Include handshakes, waves, or bows depending on cultural context.

12. Thank You Notes

• Write or draw thank-you notes for family, friends, or helpers.

• Builds appreciation and polite expression.

🧘 Mindfulness & Respect

13. Kindness Reflection

• At the end of the day, ask:“What kind thing did you do today?”
  “How did it make you feel?”
  

14. Listening Practice

• Practice listening without interrupting.

• Use a talking stick or timer to take turns speaking.

15. Respect Role Cards

• Create cards with respectful actions:“Wait your turn”
  “Say excuse me”
  “Help someone in need”