Good manners are the lubricant of our social machinery. They help us to interact and connect in all areas of life with reduced friction and improved outcomes. - Wilson McCaskill (Play is the Way).

After our time spent with Wilson McCaskill (founder of Play is the Way), the staff have been engaged in much discussion around good manners. We know that well-mannered classrooms are invariably calmer, with the students more aware and sensitive to the needs of each other. 

Good manners start at home. Role modelling of good manners is vital. When parents are kind, respectful and use good manners with people in the community, they role model these behaviours to their children.

A way that we have introduced this concept of manners with the children is through greetings and farewell. We are encouraging the children to respond to a greeting with an acknowledgment of the greeting, followed by a response asking the other person how they are. This simple task begins to develop an awareness for the children about other people.

Here is an example:

Teacher: Good morning John. How are you today?

John: Very well thank you Mr Powell and thank you for asking. How are you today?

A sincere farewell, be it short or long, implies a desire to be reacquainted. It reveals the expectation of a person's welcome return. Greetings and farewells are key tools for positive engagement with others. We must all be committed to delivering them with sincerity.

We have also provided a YouTube clip posted by Wilson where he discusses manner.