Present eating manners to children as a way of getting along with others. When people practice good eating manners, it helps everyone present to feel more comfortable and happy together. Give an example of how people may feel if someone at the lunch table grabbed food off another's plate and yelled during a meal. The people trying to eat their meals might feel irritated, angry or uncomfortable eating at this table. When everyone sits nicely and eats together, the meal feels more pleasant.
Give expectations for manners so students know how they should behave. Talk about the behavior you desire and the behaviors that are unacceptable. For example, children should talk quietly while they eat, saying please and thank you and keeping their hands to themselves. Yelling, pushing, grabbing, and general fooling around are examples of activities that students should not engage in during mealtime.
Institute good manner rules when students eat at school to help them learn and practice etiquette. Make signs with a few basic rules to help students remember them. For example, you might include rules like, "Wash Hands Before Eating," "Say Please and Thank you," "Chew With Your Mouth Closed," "No Yelling, Pushing or Running" and "Stay Seated Until Dismissed."
Correct misbehavior when you notice it so children learn good manners. If a child has trouble following good eating manners, consider removing him from his spot and having him eat somewhere else where he can use good manners more successfully.
Reward good eating manners. When students learn and follow rules, notice their successes. Implement motivating rewards for lunch hours where everyone practices good etiquette. If one or two weeks go by with every student eating politely, consider giving students a special dessert or another special treat.