The popular children's game Follow the Leader turns into a manners lesson when it is adapted to teaching school rules. Make a list of simple school rules, such as being quiet when the lights are flashed, raising your hand to speak and sitting with crossed legs on the floor. Children learn through your example as you lead them through the skills, performing them first and then encouraging them to follow.
If your young pupils have a snack time in your classroom, turn it into a lesson in table manners by making the snack a tea party. Set up some tables, provide paper plates and cups, and talk about manners during snack time. Teach the children to keep their elbows off the table, chew with their mouths closed, be polite when asking for something to be passed, and saying
"please" and "thank you" during the snack. Children could even bring a favorite teddy bear as a tea party guest.
If you gather your pupils at the beginning or end of class for circle time, use this as an opportunity to teach basic manners. Sing songs or do finger plays that incorporate polite words, such as "please" and "thank you." Talk about good manners, such as how to apologize or be a good sport. Reading short picture books on the topic of manners is another idea. This is a time when pupils can practice their manners in a controlled setting.
Young children learn by example and repetition. Set up some role-playing situations in which your pupils practice their manners. Some ideas include one child asking another to borrow something, situations where showing gratitude is appropriate or asking pupils to show what they would do if they hurt another child's feelings. Role-play classroom rules and the consequences and rewards for following them and breaking them.