It’s never too early for a “smarty parent” to teach little ones good manners. For example, even kids who cannot yet speak can learn to communicate by signing words with their hands. Learning to share is a life-long lesson for all of us, but especially during the tender ages between two and four. Greeting others warmly is a trait that many youngsters can manage when encouraged on a regular basis. Like all aspects in parenting, teaching manners is never easy. But here are a few of our tried and true tips for sticking with it and being successful.

• Begin with two or three niceties such as “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me” and then introduce more as your child begins to grasp their understanding. Children who cannot speak yet are still able to these niceties by learning a little sign language. For example, when you say “please,” make the sign for it at the same time. This reinforces the sign and the verbal word while giving your preverbal child a way to communicate back. As you repeat this often, your child will pick up the sign and begin to sign “please” when she asks for something.

Note: the benefits of teaching your children sign language are immense (click here for more informaton). You can start as early as 6-12 months to teach your child simple words like “milk,” “eat,” “more,” and “all done.” Another advantage of teaching sign language is being able to non-verbally remind your child to say “please” and “thank you” from across the room once they’re able to talk.

• Be persistent and consistent. This means once you introduce manners, stick with it and rehearse the trait several times a day. Make it a new part of everyone’s behavior. It may take time, but young ones are so smart and will get it. The rewards of teaching manners early in life will give dividends long after they’re out of the house (Yikes! We don’t want to think about that yet!)

• Model the behavior and language you desire in your child. Children make us better people because they mirror the way we act. Before we had kids, my husband and I rarely said “yes, please” or “no, thank you” to one another, but we do now because we want our children to model this behavior.

• Provide plenty of positive feedback when they’re signing their words or demonstrating self-control such as waiting in line patiently or helping a friend put away toys to let them know how polite and thoughtful their actions are to others.

Have fun with it and remember that teaching manners is often the first step in getting young ones to think beyond themselves. Some families have “anti-manners” dinners where all rules are thrown out the door, have sticker charts to reinforce positive behavior or a “manners” month for those who may need a refresher. It won’t happen overnight, but when you see them in action, you’ll be so proud. It’s not uncommon to first see the fruits of your labor when you’re out of the house, around others, or visiting Grandma and Grandpa.

By Lindy Bartell, president of Smarty Parents, Inc., the maker of the award-winning Piggy Platter placemat & craftmat and the creator of Perry & Penny’s manners-minded books and music. Sign language information brought to you by Sign Babies. This article may only be used with the expressed written permission of the author.