These are very simple and common but without teaching the child, we are missing a lot.
Let me make a short checklist to remind us all of what has been passed and what we might be missing.
1. Doors and Knocking
- knock before entering a room
- to enter and exit doors quietly
- to open and close cabinets and drawers quietly
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| as early as 18 months, children can practice doing this |
2.Silence Game
- practice to be silent , use an hourglass, look at the second hand of a clock
- listen to the sound around you, listen to each other's heartbeat
- practice waiting for turn to speak
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| Using what we have at home, a digital timer would suffice, this will take a lot of practice and patience |
3.Telephone / Cellphone Answering
-don't forget to say Hello and Goodbye, (I noticed a lot are just hanging up after speaking especially on cellphones)
- when answering, getting someone to the phone, calling someone, remind to get the name, message and saying 'wait for a moment', instead of just passing the phone
- practice how to call , get a calling card handy for the child to have in case of emergencies
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| I gave her a card with my number for her to practice calling, you'll be surprised at how easy they remember |
4. Coughing, Sneezing, Blowing the Nose, Burping, Yawning
Sometimes we find children's blunder cute but it is not a good habit to grow.
-sneeze on arm not on hands
- practice covering mouth, washing hands and blowing on tissue
- say excuse me
5. Being Excused
- when leaving a group, table, practice how to excuse yourself, take turns
- when passing in between people, normally you go around, this is only when there is no other choice
- when interrupting conversations
6. Being on Time, RSVP
I have organized enough parties, activities and seminars to know that this has really, REALLY gone bad.
- I would like to see the term Filipino time be erased in anybody's vocabulary.
- Give the host a time to plan, they are paying for your seat already please at least tell them that you are not coming at least a week before to adjust the food and seats
- Make a routine chart and schedule of how to make your time fit
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| I am guilty of this. Why? because I consider the time others will arrive, now we are trapped in a loop where everybody thinks it will start an hour or so later |
7. Offering Help
Teach the child to be independent and helpful.
Doing everything for your child spells disaster when they grow up. A doting parent might say "they are so helpless" (They are not really helpless at two years old, you'll be surprised at what they can do just give them a chance to learn)
- make a dialogue on offering help and help them discriminate who are in need of help
7. Gadgets Usage
If possible, no gadgets and tv for children under 2 yrs of age.
- no gadgets on meal time
- no gadgets on movie houses and church
- please stop using the gadgets while talking to someone
Remember, you are setting an example to your children, practice what you teach.
