Introduce the magic words of courtesy: 'Please' (when asking for something), 'Thank you' (when someone helps or gives you something), 'You're welcome' (responding to thanks), 'Excuse me' (getting attention politely or after burping/sneezing), 'I'm sorry' (when you make a mistake or hurt someone), and 'May I' (asking permission). For each word, explain when to use it and why it matters. 'Please' shows respect instead of demanding. 'Thank you' shows you appreciate others' help. 'Excuse me' acknowledges you're interrupting or did something rude. Model each phrase: 'Watch me ask politely: May I please have a snack?' Then have your child practice saying them. Write the words on a poster or list so they're visible. Emphasize that using these words makes people happy to help you and like being around you.

Set up practice situations where your child uses courtesy language. You play different roles: a store clerk, a friend, a teacher, a family member. Scenario 1: 'You want a cookie. Ask me politely.' They say: 'May I please have a cookie?' You respond positively. Scenario 2: 'I just gave you a gift. What do you say?' They say: 'Thank you!' Scenario 3: 'You accidentally bumped into me. What do you say?' They say: 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry.' Do 5-10 quick scenarios covering different courtesy words. Switch roles—you be the kid asking rudely, they correct you: 'No, you should say please!' This reinforces the lesson. Make it playful and fun, not a drill. Laugh together when practicing. The goal is muscle memory—saying courtesy words without thinking.

Now apply courtesy language in actual daily life. Throughout the day, create opportunities for your child to use polite words naturally: asking for meals, requesting help, receiving things, interacting with siblings, talking to store clerks or neighbors. Before each interaction, whisper a quick reminder if needed: 'Remember to say please.' After they use courtesy words successfully, praise them: 'I heard you say thank you—great job!' If they forget in the moment, gently prompt: 'How can you ask more politely?' and let them try again. Don't let rudeness slide—every interaction is practice. By day's end, your child should have used courtesy words 10-20 times in real situations. This moves politeness from abstract lesson to lived habit.

End the day with a reflection session. Praise your child's courtesy: 'I noticed you said please and thank you at dinner without being reminded. I'm so proud!' Point out specific moments: 'When you thanked the store clerk, did you see how she smiled? That's because your politeness made her day better.' Discuss how being polite felt: 'Was it easy or hard? Did people treat you nicely when you were polite?' Reinforce that courtesy isn't just a rule—it's a tool that makes life better. Give gentle feedback on areas to improve: 'You're doing great with please, but let's work on remembering thank you tomorrow.' Use a reward system if helpful: stickers on a chart for each day of consistent courtesy, trade for a small privilege when full. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Commit to ongoing courtesy language practice. Make it non-negotiable in your home: polite words aren't optional, they're how this family communicates. Model it relentlessly. When your child forgets, calmly remind: 'What's the polite way to ask?' Eventually, prompts won't be needed—it'll be automatic. Expand courtesy as your child grows: 'please' and 'thank you' for young kids, then add 'pardon me,' 'excuse me for interrupting,' 'I appreciate your help,' and 'no thank you' (polite refusal). Teach phone manners, table manners, and respectful disagreement. Courtesy becomes a mindset, not just specific words. Reinforce that being polite doesn't mean being a doormat—you can be assertive and polite simultaneously. Over years, these habits create a respectful, kind person who others enjoy being around.