PARTY MANNERS FOR 4-7YEAR-OLD

Party Manners for 4- to 7-Year-Olds

Count Me In! Impress your child with your knowledge of French. RSVP stands for répondez s’il vous plaît — a request to call the party’s host to let her know whether you can or not.

Taking Turns. A child’s party behavior should include learning to wait for their turn, which is also an important social skill.

You might want to establish a “zero tolerance” policy for such playground behavior as pushing, crashing a line or bullying. Explain that it is disrespectful when they misbehave this way at another person’s party –– and it shows a lack of hospitality when they do it at their own.

Feelings. Teach your child to see how her words can influence the feelings of others. Stress that she should never say she doesn’t like the food, games or gifts. Manners expert Penny Warner says, “If she doesn’t like something, she should keep it to herself.”

Also, let your child know that it is rude to ask someone how much they paid for a gift or for your child to volunteer that information.

Games. Pull out the costume box and have a tea party. Pretend you are being entertained by President Bush and the First Lady. Be sure to practice complimenting the food and thanking them for the invitation.