Comments on: How to Teach Your Preschooler Manners Using Montessori Principles

By: Keisha

Keisha — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 05:02:59 +0000

I am currently beginning my first year as the lead primary guide in a very strictly Montessori school. As I observed other classrooms prior to the beginning of this year, I found it disheartening that children were asked to ignore parent observers when they go in. Instead, I feel that is the perfect opportunity to practice grace and courtesy! As long as a grace and courtesy lesson is given before hand, “Feel free to go up to Mrs. Aguirre and say, ‘Hello Mrs. Aguirre, my name is Lucy, it’s nice to meet you. (shakes hands)” I would give some other guidelines as well, such as, “Feel free to go to her one at a time. You may ask her one question if you like. When you see that one person is done talking to her, then another person may greet her.” Then I would introduce the observer to the class at the end of our morning circle time, just before sending children off to choose their works. What a wonderful way to work on those Montessorian concepts of self-control, patience, grace and courtesy! As well, it would be a great way for shy children to hear it multiple times, and get comfortable with the concept until they are ready to try it themselves.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 08:51:20 +0000

This is awesome! We’ve just been successful at adding please and thank you to our baby signs, but I’m always wondering how to make sure I raise my son to be polite in this day and age. Thank you for putting it in a way that allows me to set a good example, but that also understands that kids are kids!

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 05:00:25 +0000

In reply to Joyce.

Thanks for your comment, Joyce! I’ve found that greeting someone is one of the hardest social graces for young children to feel comfortable with. When I did the research for my master’s program, that was the social grace all the children had the most difficulty with (even some of the more extroverted children).

It takes a lot of practice for most children to feel comfortable with that. I recommend that you just keep practicing, and don’t worry about your son’s reaction … it really is normal. I hope that helps. 🙂

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 04:55:21 +0000

In reply to Montessori Motherload.

Thanks so much for your kind comment … I really appreciate it! 🙂

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:13:32 +0000

I loved all of your tips! I did have a question though. I fully agree about avoiding criticizing or embarrassing your child about their manners. But what do you do when you are in the situation? My son, R, can be very outgoing and polite. But sometimes, he can be the exact opposite. He doesn’t want to shake hands and he hides behind me. I’ve been apologizing and saying that he’s feeling shy when this happens, but I think it’s backfiring because later, when I ask him why he didn’t want to shake so and so’s hand, he replies “I was just feeling shy!” I think he thinks if he says that, it’s okay. So my question is, what do you do when someone tries to shake their hand, make conversation, etc.. and they are having none of it? By the way, we’ll keep practicing 🙂

By: Montessori Motherload

Montessori Motherload — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:15:40 +0000

Great post! Very simply laid out and applicable.

By: Deb Chitwood

Deb Chitwood — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:06:37 +0000

In reply to Kami.

Thank you for your kind words, Kami! I appreciate your comment!

By: Kami

Kami — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:20:07 +0000

Great post!

By: Deb Chitwood

Deb Chitwood — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:38:07 +0000

In reply to JDaniel4's Mom.

Thanks so much for the honor—I really appreciate it! And I love what you’re doing with your site!

By: JDaniel4's Mom

JDaniel4's Mom — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:06:31 +0000

This post has been selected as one of my great posts of the week. Here is the link to my post.</