Actions have consequences. You may choose to talk about behavior of a particular nature--bullying, name calling, thumbsucking, boredom...but generally, with preschoolers if you have the overall theme of good manners, they'll get the point.
Here’s a cup, and here’s a cup,
And here’s a pot of tea;
Pour a cup, and pour a cup,
Come and drink with me.
Every day when we eat our dinner,
Our table is just this small. (hands close together)
There’s room for father, and mother,
Sister, and brother, and me—that’s all. (fingers to count)
But every time that company comes,
You scarcely believe your eyes. (point to eyes)
For our little table grows bigger and bigger, (spread hands)
Until it just this size! (arms spread wide apart)
Say, say, oh playmate,
Come out and play with me,
And bring your dollies, three,
Climb up my apple tree.
Shout down the rain barrel,
Slide down my cellar door,
And we’ll be jolly friends—forever more.
Say, say, oh playmate,
I cannot play with you,
My dolly’s got the flu,
Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo.
Ain’t got no rain barrel,
Ain’t got no cellar door.
But we’ll be jolly friends—forever more.
Hello's a handy word to say,
At least a hundred times a day.
Without “Hello” what would I do,
Whenever I bumped into you?
Without “Hello” where would you be,
Whenever you bumped into me?
Hello’s a handy word to know,
Hello-hello-hello-hello!
--Mary Ann Hoberman
READ FOR THE FUN OF IT (Bauer)
1 Little, 2 Little, 3 little cookies,
4 Little, 5 little, 6 little cookies,
7 Little, 8, little, 9 little cookies,
10 Little cookies, what shall we do?
Let’s have a party and we’ll share them,
(Repeat 2 x)
One for me and one for you.
Manners in the dining room,
Manners in the hall.
If you don’t behave yourself,
You shan’t have none at all.
The Goops they lick their fingers,
And the Goops they lick their knives;
They spill their broth on the tablecloth,
Oh, they lead disgusting lives!
The Goops they talk while eating,
And loud and fast they chew;
And that is why I’m glad that
I Am not a Goop--are you?
There are two magic words
That open any door with ease.
One little word is “thanks.”
The other word is “please.”
It’s mine, but you can have some
With you I’d like to share it,
‘Cause if I share it with you,
You’ll have some too.
Well, if I have a cake to eat,
If I have a tasty treat--
If you come to me and ask,
I’ll give some to you.
Writing thank-yous
Really is important.
Mom says thank yous
Show your gratitude.
Writing thank yous
Really is exhausting,
Hand is cramping
Fingers all are numb.
'Though I'm slow,
I'm plodding through,
Only have 10 notes to do.
Love the skates,
Paul's ball's great...
Eight more cards,
This is hard
--Alan Katz
ARE YOU QUITE POLITE?
Songs:
Polly Put the Kettle On
Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been
The Sharing Song (Raffi)
There are Many Things I Am Grateful For (Hap Palmer)
Extras: Hearts
Books:
Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, Judy Sierra, c.2007
Big Black Bear, Wong Hebert Yee, c.1993