Manners

Reading book "Do Onto Otters: A Book About Manners" and learning good table manners

Month 3 · Activity 12 · Character Traits

Instructions

Read the book “Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners” by Laurie Keller or Read/Listen here
Highlight 3 correct eating habits, such as:

Chewing with mouth closed
Placing a napkin on a lap as soon as sitting down
Using please and thank you (word please is used when you want something and thank you when you receive something)

Write these three habits on a sheet of paper with your child and review them daily before sitting down to eat throughout the month
The European Journal of Social Psychology suggested a new habit takes 66 days of repetition. By introducing and reinforcing good habits to preschoolers, the goal of practicing good manners should last a lifetime

Simplify

Practice with a child in chewing with mouth open and then with mouth closed. Ask what looks nicer. You could look in a mirror together to see how you look with mouth open or closed.

Extend

Let the child "read" the three manners you have written down to practice before meals.

See if the child can state another manner they think is important when eating

QUESTIONS FOR CHILD

How would you like otters to act? How do otters want you to act to them?

Can you tell me about "The "Golden Rule"? (Do to others as you would have others do to you.)

Do you have friends that are different from you? Do they have the same needs as you?

Materials

Book “Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners” by Laurie Keller or Read/Listen here (use full screen and pause as needed)
sheet of paper

Activity Resources

Language Skills
Social Skills