How to Improve Child & Teen Social Skills and Table Manners

Is your child/teen struggling with basic social skills and table manners?

Socialization begins right after birth, with our younger years being the most crucial. When kids socialize, they learn how to interact with others, empathy skills, give and take, negotiation, social cues, and social norms. When isolated, (key phrase: social distancing), it impacts us physically and mentally. Read more at: 11 Negative Effects of Lack of Socializing

Children need the opportunity to play with other children and to be around adults in a social manner. However when our kids act weird, uncomfortable, or display bad manners, we send them back to isolation. So how do we stop the cycle? Gayle Petrillo teaches global etiquette at every age level. In fact, her course has been a requirement for UA Eller graduate students.

During this two hour instructional pancake breakfast, your child will improve their conversational skills, better prepared to engage in social situations. Parents will be armed with new tips and techniques and will gain the reassurance that table manners can be replicated at home. Your family will be ready to RSVP “YES” to every event in 2022.

Event Timelines

What you will learn

Parent and child alike will receive age appropriate guidance how to break the cycle of isolation by understanding the importance of staying connected to the people in our society. We will learn tips and tricks for eye contact, listening skills, easy conversation starters, follow-up questions, table manners, when technology is ok (NEVER at mealtime), and where to go for help, and who to ask for help when we don't know how to respond in a situation.

What to expect

Upon check-in, students are provided storage for personal items before visiting the hand washing station. Breakfast will be served family style to encourage socializing and manners, with random seat assignment to give students opportunities to engage in conversation with someone they don't know. At our pancake breakfast, students will be given instruction and techniques to help in reconnecting and re-engaging in social situations, while maintaining appropriate table manners at all times.