When my kids were young, they watched Barney, that big purple dinosaur, every morning on PBS.
One Barney song still lingers in my mind. Odd, I know, but it’s a really catchy tune. 🙂
Please and thank you- they’re called the magic words.
If animals could talk, you’d hear the fish and the birds
Saying please and thank you- they’re called the magic words…
Repeat the chorus over and over and over and over…
Barney was right- please and thank you are magic.
And so is You’re Welcome.
And so is Excuse Me.
In my classes and workshops for young people, I call these Power Words.
Please makes things happen more smoothly. It turns a demand into a polite request.
Thank you shows appreciation and we all like to be appreciated. Someone is more likely to do something nice for you again when they’ve been properly thanked.
You’re welcome is what you say when you are thanked. Please do not respond with “no problem”, because it’s simply bad manners to do so (and it’s one of my manners pet peeves ?).
Excuse me (or Pardon me) will cover a small mistake such as:
you must interrupt someone, you don’t hear someone, you sneeze/cough/hiccup, or you bump into someone. We all make these little missteps daily, so keep “excuse me” handy in your vocabulary.
Teach your children to use Power Words.
This takes reminding, positive reinforcement, and patience on your part, but it’s worth the effort!
Using Power Words can become your children’s everyday good habits.
And of course, let’s remember to use Power Words ourselves! Our children are watching and learning from us.
Plus you’ll show others you’re considerate, kind, intelligent, and maybe even a little magical.
If this post was helpful, check out my FREE guide: The Busy Moms Guide to Raising Confident, Considerate, and Mannerly Kids. You’ll get my very best tips to help you teach your children good manners in a stress-free and fun way.
