A network to share best practices for children with special
needs I absolutely feel manners instills self confidence in
children. Anyone who behaves with good character traits feels
good at the end of the day-they feel successful. My children are
immediately rewarded with verbal praise when I hear them use
their good manners. My daughter is especially good at this
saying "please" and "thank you", along with "good morning", etc.
Just this past Sunday, she got into her carpool and said "good
morning Dr. so and so". I heard about her nice manners from the
mother. That evening, I told her how proud I was that she used
good manners-this feeling of success and goodness makes her feel
worthy and good about herself and therefore gives her self
confidence. For the latter part of the question, I feel manners
can and should be taught early on. Personally, my kids hear
about manners as soon as they can understand language. I have
heard my 2 year old say "thank you mommy" (more like "sank you
mommy") and he uses please wh