1. In teaching my daughter to listen (and respond to others), I always tell her to stop whatever she is doing, look in the eyes of whoever she is talking to, and respond politely with yes, no or the answer to the question if there is any.
2. Proper behavior for kids when they are in another home. I always tell my daughter to sit properly beside me. If she was invited by other kids to play with them, I let her play as long as she does not touch anything in the house, not even the toys of other kids. She would always ask permission if she wants to go look at a part of the house. And stay where I can still see her.
As early as my kids can observe & imitate (toddler stage), I always saw to it that I explained and made them understand what I was doing (teaching). An example on “How to teach kids to listen,” i would say something like, “Yes Mark? (child babbles) Oh ok, Mark will talk & Mommy will listen to what Mark will say..” Then later on say, “Oh.. now it’s Mommy’s turn to say something, then Mark will listen..” When he was big enough to reply in any manner, I always wait for him to acknowledge me first.. then he may begin to talk as i refresh the conversation “So, did you like your new toothbrush?”
On “Proper behavior for kids when they are in another home,” it can only be established by how the rules are set in their own family/home. No other way. To kids, it’s just black & white. Why can’t they just open open a bag of chips in the neighbor’s house if they can open one at home anytime w/o permission? They do not have the capability, as an adult’s, to decipher which acts are appropriate to different situations (ie family reunions, malls & restaurants, charity missions) To them, it’s all the same. They are only capable of executing what they are moved to do given a certain circumstance, based on the practiced knowledge they have. So if their reins are established well back home, then there should be nothing much to worry wherever you take them, and whoever they would happen to speak to.
It goes the same with “Phone manners for kids”. Kids would only do what they see & hear from the adults at home, especially on answering phonecalls, including cellphones. This is one of their favorite “mimic play”. So make sure you integrate how to take calls, for example, during playtime (to cover up “Manang’s version”).
My kids are already 11 (Mark) & 10 (Monica). I homeschool them fulltime.
