Manners are extremely important. As a parent, you want to teach your child everything so he or she grows up to be polite and respectful, and this starts when they're young. Here's what you need to know about teaching your child manners.

Start young

Before your little one even starts talking, you should be teaching them good manners. This can be anything from actions to phrases. Repeat the basics like "please," "thank you" and "you're welcome." Teach your child to sound out these phrases and at the appropriate times, like when you give him or her something or vice versa. Be consistent, and soon your baby will pick up the verbal and physical cues.

Correct with explanations

When your kid gets a little older, their actions may change. It's not that your child is trying to be rude or inappropriate, it's just that he or she doesn't know any better. Treat each situation as a potential lesson. Explain why it's not polite to chew with an open mouth or hit a sibling. The more explanation you provide, the easier it will be for your child to learn the difference between the right and wrong thing to do.

Lead by example

As a parent, you are the most influential person in your child's life. Odds are your little one mimics your actions, mannerisms and language. So it's incredibly important that you exercise the best manners possible. Your little ones are going to model their behavior after yours, so make sure you're being polite, too.

The manner list

As an adult, you know what manners are, but when it comes to putting them into words, it isn't always easy. Here are some manners you should be teaching your children:

• "Please," when asking.
• "Thank you," when receiving.
• Do not interrupt unless it's an emergency.
• Say, "excuse me."
• If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.
• Never hit another person.
• Don't use bad words or foul language.
• Be nice to everyone you meet.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Don't pick your nose.
• Hold the door open for people.
• Knock when a door is closed.
• Use utensils correctly when eating.

When it comes to manners, adhere to your child's behavior. If they're doing something impolite, use it as an opportunity to explain how their action wasn't good mannered. Tell your little one what is polite, and challenge them to change their actions in the future.