December's - Tip for Parents
From ISVI Residential Services Department
Encouraging Good Manners
Good manners are important for children of
every age. As we consider children’s behaviors, one area where most children can
improve is showing good manners. Good manners need to be taught and demonstrated
to children consistently. Many children with visual impairments need concrete
and direct instruction in basic areas such as: greeting other people, looking
like they are paying attention, looking like they are being respectful, and
maintaining an appropriate conversation. Children should be
encouraged to
respect other people’s personal space as well as to stand and offer a handshake
when appropriate. Children should be praised when they show good manners. It
helps if parents and school staff are genuine and specific when praising
children’s efforts. For example, instead of saying "Good boy.", one might say
"It was nice of you to say you appreciated the gift."
Manners aren’t just about what fork to use. They’re about
fostering respectfulness and teaching responsibility. Good manners should be
stressed in all
situations. Once children learn basic manners, parents and
teachers can build on this understanding to teach children how to behave in a
range of social settings, including how to manage conflict and how to show
kindness and consideration for others.
Especially during the holiday season, ISVI is blessed
to have many donations and people giving of their time and talents to help
students and staff in a number of ways. Students are encouraged to write thank
you notes when appropriate. The people receiving the notes always appreciate the
students’ hand-written or brailled thoughts and drawings. A good way to foster
manners at home is to sit with your child after the holidays and write thank you
notes together.
The residential staff at ISVI wish you and your family
a Happy Holiday.
Back