May 11-15 is National Etiquette Week

National Etiquette Week was established by Children’s Etiquette Consultant Sandra Morisset in 1997 as a self-assessment on the current status of civility in the United States. It's a wonderful opportunity for all of us to stop, reflect, and ask: How civil am I?

To my spouse or significant other?
To my children?
To my parents?
To my friends?
To my teacher?
To my colleagues?
To the stranger in the check out line?
To other drivers on the road?

The dictionary defines civility as follows:

Ci•vil•i•ty noun (pl.-ties)
formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech: I hope we can treat each other with civility and respect.
ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French civilite, from Latin civilitas, from civilis 'relating to citizens.' In early use the term denoted the state of being a citizen and hence good citizenship or orderly behavior. The sense [politeness] arose in the mid 16th cent.

Parents, educators, and caregivers, here's an easy activity that's perfect for this important week: Invite the kids in your life to get together—perhaps at this week's "family meeting", or as part of "morning meeting" in your classroom, or at group activity time during the day—and ask everyone (including yourself!) to answer the following three questions:

1. What does civility mean to you? (you can provide the definition—but have children, depending on age, answer in words or pictures what it means to them, or have a simple conversation together)
2. What are 2 examples of how you ARE civil every day? (have kids answer in words or pictures, or have a discussion together)
3. What are 2 more ways you CAN BE civil every day? (have kids answer in words or pictures, or have a discussion)

Give a good amount of time for kids to express themselves, then invite everyone to share their answers and have an open discussion of good ways everyone can be more civil with each other.

At Maren Green, we hear over and over again how helpful it is to have books around to support the the life lessons and positive messages we're trying to give children, and that's why you'll find the books shown in this blog entry of particular value. They're good to read one-on-one, good to read at storytime, and good for kids to read on their own. You'll find them conveniently available here.

From all of us at Maren Green, have a great National Etiquette Week!