Toddler Please and Thank you problems?

Question

17 month year old is having a really tough time understanding the concept of please and thank you. He knows "more" and is constantly demanding things...so unbecoming! He has said please before (and knows other "p" words like "plane") but absolutely refuses to say it...any kids books we could read together that would be helpful??

Answer 1

Forcing him to say please and thank you isn't going to teach him what it means. Modelling the behaviour that you want him to demonstrate is much more effective. During supper or any situation if you consistently use your manners whenever you can he will pick up on it. Praise him when he says please and thank you without you asking him to. A book that could be helpful is "Excuse me! A little book of manners" by Karen Katz. It's geared towards smaller children and is brightly illustrated to keep their attention.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

This is one thing my daughter is so great about. Sometimes we have to remind her, but she's so great about it. Sometimes she gets mixed up too. But we just made sure it was something we always said to her. We always asked her please, and we always said thank you. Then when someone would give her something, we'd ask her what do you say? She just sorta picked it up and was on her way with it. She always says it, even though we still have to tell her what do you say? He'll pick it up, as long as you're leading by example. The best way is to make sure you're doing it yourself.

Answer 3

You have to say it all the time. I always say "Thank You" when my daughter does what I ask her........so when I give her something, she says it.......it is SO cute.
I was eating French Fries (which she usually does not get) and she said "Ench Fy? PLEASE?" It was so cute that I HAD to give her one.......and as soon as she took it from my hand she said "Tank YOU"........with the accent on "you". It was so funny........

my point is, the more they hear you say it, the more they will say it........i had been telling my daughter to "Say please" when she wants something so she has learned to say it when she really wants something. "Thank You" she says all the time on her own..........."Please" still needs a lot of prompting.

Answer 4

there is one about manners that might help but at that age repetition is the best don't give him anything until he asks right with the please and the thank yous and remind him it will become second nature to him it will just take time

Answer 5

Young children learn by example. Say 'please' and 'thank you' to him, let him hear you say those words to others, and he will naturally pick up on their use. When he is older, you can gently remind him if he forgets, but at this stage it is best to simply model polite manners.

Answer 6

Make sure you setting a good example by saying your Ps & Qs to him. Repetition and practice.

Answer 7

He is just testing you. I taught my stubborn son in one day by refusing to give him his drink until he said please. Yes I was concerned he would get extremely thirsty but he won't die of thirst in just a couple of hours. My son eventually wanted a drink bad enough to say please and after that.... no problem!

Answer 8

maire123 - he's 17 months old! You are expecting too much from him.

As Daa stated above, children learn by example. If you say 'please' and 'thank you' he will start to say 'please' and 'thank you.' Also, remember to PRAISE him when he does what you want him to do and as much as possible do not criticize him when he does things that you don't like.

Answer 9

I dont know if forcing it will work. TOddlers are stubborn. Just make sure you ALWAYS say please and thankyou to him.