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Summary
Summary
From America's trusted name in etiquette, this comprehensive guide explains step by step how to teach manners to children from toddlerhood through the teen years -- the first such Emily Post guide in more than half a century. Etiquette authority Peggy Post and noted educator Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., show parents, grandparents, and other caregivers how to teach children manners at every age and for every situation at home, at school, and with friends.
Uniquely structured by the stages of children's development, The Gift of Good Manners helps parents set age-appropriate, realistic goals as their child's world expands from crib and home to school, neighborhood, and community. Each section contains chapters on developing and demonstrating morals and ethics through specific actions; respecting oneself and others; and the essentials of spoken and written communication. Practical examples abound on everyday manners in every situation from the dinner table to restaurant dining; classroom behavior to sleepovers; and first thank-you notes to first dates and first job interviews. Special sections address parents' most asked questions; health and safety issues; toys, games, and activities; and special thoughts for grandparents.
The Posts also advise on sticky situations that today's families often face: easy ways for busy parents to teach and model mannerly behavior; navigating the social politics of birthday parties, carpools, and school events; supervising teen parties; negotiating use of the phones; and much more.
Filled with the practical examples and resourceful advice that has made the Emily Post name the etiquette choice of millions, The Gift of Good Manners proves that now, more than ever, manners are fundamental to success in life and are one of the greatest gifts parents can give.
Author Notes
Peggy Post is the third generation of Post authors; she has written nine books. She is the recognized authority on etiquette, and millions seek her advice through her monthly columns in Good Housekeeping and Parents Magazines; through appearances on national radio and television, including Oprah!, Good Morning America, and Today; and in hundreds of newspapers and radio stations across the country. She is a contributing editor to goodhousekeeping.com and WeddingChannel.com
Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., is codirector of The Emily Post Institute, Inc. Her professional background spans nearly thirty years in education and health; she has served as principal of the Duxbury Elementary School in Duxbury, Vermont, and as clinical director of the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice in Barre, Vermont. Currently she is program director for The Foundation for Excellent Schools
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
"The mechanics of good manners can be learned at any age, but when the learning process begins in childhood, mannerly behavior eventually becomes natural." These words set the tone of the latest guide to come from the Post family. Coauthored by Peggy Post (Everyday Etiquette) and Senning, codirector of the Emily Post Institute, this informative manual on teaching social skills to children is based on taking advantage of each development stage. A baby or a toddler is very limited in his or her ability to understand the fine points of mannerly behavior but, as the authors point out, babies learn first through imitation. Parents or caregivers who consistently demonstrate kind and respectful treatment of others will be used as positive role models by the children in their care. The authors fully describe each stage of growth and then outline all aspects of etiquette that should be taught during this period. From such trivial concerns as how to eat soup properly to important issues such as bullying and cheating, Post and Senning provide detailed guidance on methods of instructing children in acceptable behavior. Whatever the age of the child, they suggest positive reinforcement rather than punishment and, in fact, are opposed to any corporal punishment. During the difficult adolescent years, Post and Senning recommend keeping communication lines open, setting clear rules and expectations, and praising rather than criticizing teens. This is an excellent source of ideas and inspiration for raising children to be considerate adults. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Library Journal Review
Every child wants to be well liked, and every parent wants children who can get along well in the school, social, and work arenas. The secret to this is good manners, and Post, the author of ten etiquette books, and Senning, codirector of the Emily Post Institute, emphasize that these do not simply materialize on their own. Like proper hygiene, good manners must be instilled from the beginning, until they become habit. This book guides the reader through the development of babies, children, and teens, explaining what they are capable of and when. Teaching a toddler to say "please" and "thank you" evolves into the preschooler's "excuse me," and the child's "I'm sorry," right up to the teen's college application letter. The confidence that accompanies social skills will stand adults in good stead throughout their lives. Not since Miss Manners (Judith Martin) gave us her Guide to Rearing Perfect Children has this topic been so well done. Highly recommended. Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
Emily Post's The Gift of Good Manners A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children Chapter One Building the Foundations At some point -- usually between six and twelve weeks -- your baby will look at you and smile. As days and weeks go by, she will learn to greet you with expressions of both recognition and pleasure. These are among her earliest forays into the parent-child relationship. She is learning to trust you and to depend on your presence in her life. As she wakes to the world, her trust in you forms the bedrock for all her experiences to come. Over her first twelve months, your baby will acquire an astonishing array of physical and mental skills, progressing from an almost totally reactive being who responds instinctively to physical stimuli (an empty tummy, a wet diaper, a sudden noise) to one who makes deliberate choices. She will begin to master her body and start to manipulate her environment -- grasping objects she wants, for example. She will learn to distinguish her primary caregivers and cling to them. Around five or six months, she will become delightfully sociable. She will begin to sense herself as a separate being and learn to recognize her name. She will be driven to explore by her limitless curiosity. From birth to twelve months, a baby is an incredibly busy little person. You're the Model You will not actively teach the principles or guidelines of etiquette for several years to come. But from the day she is born, you will be helping your child build her foundations for life. As babies develop, they increasingly learn through imitation. What you do will provide the example of how people act and interact. By your example and with the introduction of a few limits in the second half of your child's first year, you begin to establish patterns that will eventually translate into appropriate manners, conduct, and concern for the well-being of others. By meeting your baby's physical and safety needs and giving her the fullness of your affection and attention, you are establishing trust and love -- the two great pillars of teaching and learning. Whatever the form of your nuclear family -- two parents, single parent, grandparents or other guardian as principal caregiver, adoptive or blended family -- you are the central figure in your infant's life and will be for many years. With your love and attention now, your child will be well on her way to becoming a loving, attentive, and considerate member of the human race. Visits and Gifts Because hospital stays after an uncomplicated birth are as short as a day or two, it's fairly easy to put off visitors until you return home. The problem with the early homecoming is that a postpartum mother often feels far from well yet, and both mother and father are coping with their new duties. Hopefully, family and friends will be both sensible and sensitive. Most people will phone before coming to visit. If you are not up to receiving guests, you can explain and suggest alternative days and times. If people drop by unexpectedly, you can't turn them away, but you can set some limits. ("Gosh, it Is good to see you. We Just got the baby to sleep about twenty minutes ago. Let's visit for a while, but if she doesn't wake before you leave, we can plan another time." Your friend will get your message.) Young Visitors Young children or any child who is ill should not visit a home with a newborn. If friends call in advance, you can head off a problem. ("We'd love to have little Charlie over, too, but our pediatrician insists that the baby shouldn't be around other children for a few weeks yet. Tell Charlie that we'll miss him this time.") If parents with young children show up unannounced, your best tactic is to put your baby in her room or yours immediately. Your uninvited guests may think you're being overly protective, but as long as you are polite, they will have no reason to complain. About Baby Showers Baby showers are usually given before a birth but may be given after your baby arrives. Co-workers, for example, may host a shower after new parents (dads as well as moms) return to the job. Showers for adopting parents can be held before or after the legal process is completed. Invitations to a shower never include gift suggestions. (A gift -- any gift -- is always the choice of the giver .) You can provide the hostess or host with a list of items you may need so that she can advise anyone who asks for a gift recommendation. If you provide a list, be conscious of the financial capabilities of the guests. Send a thank-you note to anyone who gave a gift but did not attend, including those who contributed to a group gift. A grandparents shower is hosted for new grandparents by their friends. Although gifts are given to the grandparent for the new grandchild, it is the parents' responsibility to write thank-you notes. Deflecting Visits A grandparent or other close adult may be able to run interference and deflect inconvenient visits. Also, let your home phone answering machine take calls during your busiest times, and you won't be caught by surprise when someone asks to drop by. You should return the calls as promptly as possible, but the answering machine gives you time to collect your thoughts and avoid a flustered response. Requests to visit will probably ease up after a few weeks. Your baby's christening, brit or brit bat , or other observance will satisfy most people's desire to see the baby and congratulate you in person. Thank-You's When you feel capable, use your spare time to complete thank-you notes and calls. While you should respond to gift givers as soon you can, people are generally understanding about short delays, especially in the weeks just before and after a baby's birth. But for gifts sent by mail or delivery service, phone the givers as soon as possible to let them know that their presents have arrived. (E-mail will work if you know that the person will understand the casual nature of your message.) Then follow up with a thank-you note. Writing thank-you notes can be done by both parents. If you have older children, it will be a good lesson for them to see you thanking the people who have been so kind to the new baby. Emily Post's The Gift of Good Manners A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children . Copyright © by Peggy Post. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold. Excerpted from Emily Post's the Gift of Good Manners: A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children by Peggy Post, Cindy Post Senning All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
Table of Contents
Foreword | p. xiii |
Introduction | p. xvii |
Part 1 Waking to the World: Birth to Twelve Months | |
Chapter 1 Building the Foundations | p. 3 |
You're the Model | |
Visits and Gifts | |
The Building Blocks | |
Actions Beget Reactions | |
Setting Limits | |
A Safe and Warm Environment | |
Chapter 2 First Lessons in Respect | p. 16 |
Siblings as Rivals | |
Other Adults | |
Playgroups and Other Children | |
Competitive Parenting | |
Child-Care Etiquette Issues | |
Respecting Property | |
Chapter 3 The Budding Communicator | p. 30 |
How Babies Communicate | |
Talking to Your Baby | |
The Reading Habit | |
Interactive Games and Play | |
Chapter 4 At the Table | p. 38 |
First Meals | |
Mealtime Routines and Rituals | |
Together at the Table | |
Chapter 5 In the Larger World | p. 42 |
Private Occasions | |
In Public Places | |
Religious and Other Special Observances | |
In the Car | |
Breast-Feeding in Public | |
For Every Age: Children with Special Needs | p. 54 |
Part 2 Learning the Basics: One to Three Years | |
Chapter 6 Establishing Your Values | p. 61 |
Clarifying Your Values | |
Teaching Right from Wrong | |
Encouraging Empathy | |
The Real Meaning of Discipline | |
Discipline That Works | |
Managing Tantrums | |
Early Decision Making | |
Chapter 7 Respecting Others | p. 74 |
Welcoming a New Baby | |
Toddlers and Older Siblings | |
Playing with Peers | |
Dealing with Adults | |
Respect for Property | |
Choosing Toys and Activities | |
Tasks for Toddlers | |
Protecting the Property of Others | |
Chapter 8 Building Communication Skills | p. 93 |
Encouraging Language Learning | |
Vocal Control | |
Telephone Manners | |
First Thank-You Notes | |
Chapter 9 Toddler Table Manners | p. 105 |
First Steps | |
Behavior at the Table | |
Setting the Family Table | |
Chapter 10 Going Out and About | p. 112 |
Car Travel | |
Private Occasions | |
Who's Minding the Child? | |
About Birthday Parties | |
Out in Public | |
Tantrums in Public | |
Stranger Danger | |
For Every Age: New Family Etiquette Issues | p. 125 |
Part 3 The Age of Discovery: Three Through Five Years | |
Chapter 11 Learning About Values | p. 131 |
Four Vital Steps | |
Empathy and Fairness | |
Honesty and Reality | |
Chapter 12 Promoting Respect | p. 140 |
Sibling Relations | |
Playing with Peers | |
Cooperating with Adults | |
Coping with Peer Problems | |
Discovering Diversity | |
Introducing Good Sportsmanship | |
About Privacy | |
Taking Care of Property | |
Encouraging Thriftiness | |
Chapter 13 The Expanding World of Language | p. 160 |
Conversing with Your Child | |
The Basic Manners of Talk | |
Reinforcing the "Magic Words" | |
Meeting-and-Greeting Manners | |
Unsavory Talk | |
Teaching Telephone Manners | |
Communicating in Writing | |
Chapter 14 Teaching Mealtime Manners | p. 173 |
Mealtime Basics | |
Respecting Food Preferences | |
Chapter 15 Out-and-About Behavior | p. 179 |
Public Places and Activities | |
Disciplining in Public | |
Mobile Manners | |
Party Manners | |
For Every Age: Working It Out, Parent-to-Parent | p. 188 |
Part 4 The Socialization Years: Six Through Ten Years | |
Chapter 16 Instilling Values and Ethics | p. 193 |
Kindness in Action | |
Introducing Common Sense | |
New Issues in Honesty | |
If a Child Steals | |
Concerning Cheating | |
Borrowing and Trading | |
The Value of Tradition | |
Chapter 17 The Importance of Respect | p. 204 |
The Privacy Question | |
The New World of School | |
A Parent's Responsibilities | |
Respect for All School Personnel | |
The Power of Peers | |
Social Essentials | |
Dealing with Bullying | |
Teaching Joining-In Skills | |
Encouraging Good Sportsmanship | |
Chapter 18 Oral and Written Communication | p. 229 |
More "Magic Words" | |
The Art of Conversation | |
Why Language Matters | |
Undesirable Talk | |
On the Telephone | |
Putting It in Writing | |
Chapter 19 Improving Table Manners | p. 247 |
Fine-Tuning Basic Skills | |
Dining Out | |
Chapter 20 Learning About the World | p. 255 |
Going Solo | |
At Parties | |
First Sleepovers | |
Other Out-and-About Occasions | |
For Every Age: The Over-Programmed Child | p. 267 |
Part 5 The Bumpy Years: Eleven Through Fourteen Years | |
Chapter 21 Moral and Ethical Values | p. 271 |
Change for Everyone | |
New Ways to Discipline | |
Privacy Issues | |
Chapter 22 Respect for Self and Others | p. 282 |
The Changing Child | |
The Influence of Peers | |
Hygiene and Grooming | |
Respect Within the Family | |
Teen Chores | |
Caring About Others | |
Chapter 23 Skillful Communication | p. 297 |
Your Guiding Hand | |
Invitations and Replies | |
Thank-You Notes | |
Polite Conversation | |
Introductions and Greetings | |
On the Phone | |
Chapter 24 Dining Manners | p. 319 |
The Proper Setting | |
A Few Food Manners | |
Table Traumas | |
Chapter 25 Out on Their Own | p. 329 |
Transportation Concerns | |
At School | |
Party Time | |
Rituals and Celebrations | |
Adolescents in Groups | |
Interaction with Peers | |
Summertime Activities | |
Joining the Workforce | |
For Every Age: School Problems | p. 346 |
Part 6 On the Threshold: Fifteen Through Eighteen Years | |
Chapter 26 Moral and Ethical Choices | p. 351 |
Trusting Your Teen | |
Keeping Communication Open | |
Freedom Versus Discipline | |
The Value of Education | |
The Truth About Cheating | |
Chapter 27 Demonstrating Respect Every Day | p. 362 |
The Art of Disagreement | |
Respect for Diversity | |
Respect for the Opposite Sex | |
Self-Image and Appearance | |
Privacy Considerations | |
Good Sports, Good Leaders | |
Chapter 28 The Power of Communication | p. 374 |
Notes and Personal Letters | |
Writing Business Letters | |
High Schoolers and Speech | |
On the Phone | |
Speaking in Public | |
Chapter 29 The Etiquette of Entertaining | p. 392 |
When Teens Are Hosts | |
Issuing Invitations | |
The Duties of Hosting | |
Being a Good Guest | |
Chapter 30 The Challenging World | p. 406 |
Licensed to Drive | |
On the Job | |
The Benefits of Dating | |
Dating Etiquette for Teens | |
Very Special Occasions | |
Fine Points of Restaurant Dining | |
Concerning Tipping | |
For Every Age: Getting to College | p. 433 |
Index | p. 435 |