How people learn to be polite

1. How to say "please" and "thank you". "Please" and "thank you" are children's lines, and they are indeed magic words. Make it a lifelong habit to say "please" and "thank you" at home.

For more information on how to get your child to say "please" from the heart, see "Stop Teaching Your Child to Say Please" by an American parenting expert

2. How to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Letting snot and spit fly is gross. Trust me, teachers favor kids who know this etiquette before they start school.

3. How to ask before you touch something. There is nothing more disturbing than a child who doesn't understand that he is not the center of the universe and can't do whatever he wants. They should ask before they take something that doesn't belong to them, and that includes mom and dad's stuff.

4. How to apologize sincerely. This isn't a meaningless "I'm sorry" that's forced on them by an angry parent. Empathy is definitely a life skill.

5. How to knock before entering the house. This includes the bathroom door when mom is enjoying her private potty space.

6. How to say "Excuse me!" Kids are naturally pushy. Most of the time you'll find parents being interrupted by their kids every time they speak, and moms and dads just have to ignore it. The truth is, kids need to know when they can and can't interrupt, and they need to learn how to politely say, "Excuse me," instead of "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy," over and over again.

7. How to sit still. It's rude to keep talking during a movie. Kids need to learn how to squirm as little as possible and not laugh out loud when they're feeling uninterested. Patience is definitely a virtue.

8. My dinner table is always a mess, too. Despite this, my kids still know how to use their own utensils and don't talk while they eat. Table manners are also a must when we're not at home - even for my 5-year-old daughter.

9. Don't make fun of others. Toddlers and young children can be unappealing for pointing out others' huge moles or obese people in public ****ing situations. But parents must teach their children that such emotional insults are really unnecessary. It's bad to point out someone's flaws or make fun of them.

10. How to be helpful and compassionate. When you see someone holding something in both hands, open the door for them. Ask their teachers or parents if they need help with chores. Knowing how to be helpful and compassionate is an etiquette that children can learn at a young age, and it's a day that makes them feel good about themselves and loved by others.