Everywhere I go, I hear complaints from random people that today’s children have no manners.  Is this something we should teach in schools?  One middle school in Salt Lake City, Utah, thinks so, and they teach their children etiquette for 45 minutes each school day in hopes that the students will not be the subject of manners complaints later in life.  Some lessons are well received, and others not - after all, these are seventh-graders, and the urge to do what feels most comfortable is pretty strong.

We have been using a Barney video on manners that is mildly effective as a teaching aid, but somehow I think this is a better learning environment.  What middle school girl wants to get her dress messed up?  For parents who may be concerned with how their kids learn the soft skills in life, this article will be interesting, and might even provide ideas for your own school.