It is never too early to teach children good manners. Studies show that even at a very young age, kids are already capable of learning and expressing empathy and concern for others. Teaching manners becomes easier when it is a common practice in the household.

As social beings, children learn by doing. From birth onward, children are constantly picking up emotional and behavioral cues from the people around them, such as parents, siblings, caregivers and alike. However, it is not enough to simply tell children what to do and say; showing them by example counts most.

Where do you begin in teaching toddlers good manners? Start with the basics, saying “please” and “thank you”. If your little one wants a bottle of milk, teach her to ask for it in a proper way by stating, “May I have some milk please?” while you are pouring it. When you hand it to her, affirm and say “Thank you.” This is also works well if you and your child are visiting friends and relatives. When she asks for something, remind your child to say please and thank you.