Manners don't need to be forced

Did you know that manners don't need to be forced? That young children will develop manners through modelling alone? ⠀

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If children learn manners because they have observed others using them, they will naturally learn when it is appropriate to use them and have a better understanding of WHY they are saying phrases such as "please" and "thank you". ⠀

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This is particularly the case for toddlers, who are still in a very egocentric stage (meaning everything is about them!). ⠀

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Simply being told to say the words will not hold any meaning for a young child who is still learning. I know it might seem rude if they don't say "please" or "thank you", but if you're consistently modelling it, they will learn, and their gratitude will be a lot more genuine when you do hear those "magic" words.⠀

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Plus, as adults, we forget to use our manners sometimes, and we can’t hold children to higher standards than we hold ourselves, especially when children are still learning and have under-developed brains!⠀

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My heart melts when I hear my 3 year old niece say “please” and “thank you” so kindly, when no one has ever asked her or made her say these words.