What are your thoughts on Manners and Minecraft? I am sharing mine today and it might surprise you!
Last week I was a keynote speaker for a company that asked me to speak on Generational Connections and Differences in the workplace.
Timing is everything! As I was preparing for this engagement, we also had an eleven-year old staying with us for the week.
You might be asking what the two have to do with each other.
Manners and Minecraft
As a speaker, I like to share stories (there is a power in storytelling) that align with the topic I am delivering.
This eleven-year old brought a different energy and vide into our home – and we loved every second of it. In advance of his visit, we had plans for time at the pool, Go Ape (zip line), golf and tennis lessons, homemade Oreos, etc.
Quickly, we noticed his love for Minecraft.
The judgment set in immediately – I must admit. Was this really the best use of his time?
I stepped back and watched and became amazed.
Here Is What I Noticed About Minecraft
His laughter with friends
The engagement from all the players (I could hear the conversations)
The singing
The strategizing
He asked me to help him with spelling words
He was having fun which was really important for me to witness. And I loved seeing him have fun.
We can be so quick to pass judgment on generations that are different from our own.
During a training session I had last week with a new licensee, she mentioned that she was a gamer growing up and quickly pointed out how fast she can code, build a website and manage a successful business because of it.
Using Minecraft to teach social skills and manners to children can be a good idea, as it leverages a platform that many children enjoy and are familiar with.
Here Are Ways Minecraft Can Help with Social Skills and Manners:
Collaboration and Teamwork: Minecraft often involves working together to build structures, solve problems, or complete tasks. This requires communication, cooperation, and compromise, all of which are important social skills.
Communication: Players need to discuss strategies, share resources, and negotiate roles and responsibilities. This helps children practice verbal and written communication skills.
Conflict Resolution: Conflicts can arise in collaborative play, providing opportunities for children to practice resolving disagreements, negotiating solutions, and understanding different perspectives.
Creativity and Problem-Solving: The open-ended nature of Minecraft encourages creative thinking and problem-solving, which can be enhanced through group projects and shared goals.
Manners and Etiquette: In multiplayer modes, children can learn digital etiquette, such as taking turns, sharing resources, and respecting other players’ creations.
Empathy and Understanding: Playing with others from diverse backgrounds can help children develop empathy and understand different perspectives and cultures.
Self-Regulation: Managing time in the game, dealing with frustration when things don’t go as planned, and following the rules of the game can help children practice self-regulation and patience.
However, it’s important to consider some factors to ensure the experience is positive and educational:
Moderation: Balance screen time with other activities to ensure children have a well-rounded experience.
Supervision: Adult supervision or involvement can help guide interactions and reinforce positive behavior.
Age-Appropriate: Ensure the game settings and interactions are appropriate for the child’s age.
Contextual Learning: Discuss in-game experiences and relate them to real-world social scenarios to reinforce learning.
I am so curious. What are your thoughts on Minecraft? What are your observations?
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
As a certified etiquette expert, you will want an extensive library at home that includes books on manners for children.
This book caught my attention as I was shopping in a beautiful interior design store.
Oli and Basil: A Book for Your Etiquette Library at Home
In Oli and Basil, by Megan Hess, two stylish frogs, take a fashionable adventure through Paris, mingling with haute couture designers and attending glamorous events. Their journey is a blend of elegance and charm, capturing the essence of Parisian style and the world of high fashion.
The two frogs lived side by side. Yet, they had never met – not even while heading out for their morning baguettes.
Oli is an inventor at heart and I loved the part where he likes to take everything apart. This reminds me of the stories my husband has shared about how as a child, he loved to take apart toasters, mixers and many other kitchen appliances.
Basil, the other frog, is full of ideas and likes to spend his days drawing.
The two finally meet and realize that working as a team is the key to their success.
3 Reasons Why Every Etiquette Expert Needs Illustrated Children’s Books in their Personal Libraries
Visual Engagement: Illustrated children’s books captivate young readers’ attention with vibrant images, making it easier for them to understand and retain the concepts of good manners and etiquette.
Simplified Learning: These books often present complex etiquette rules in a simplified and relatable manner, making it easier for children to grasp and apply the lessons in their daily lives.
Cultural Exposure: Illustrated books can depict various social scenarios and cultural norms, helping children learn about diverse customs and behaviors, fostering empathy, and promoting well-rounded social skills.
Table Etiquette Inspired by a Children’s Book
Not only did I enjoy reading the story about Oli and Basil, it also inspired my table setting for the 4th of July, My husband, and a friend enjoyed gazpacho, tea sandwiches and a peach/blackberry crostata.
The illustrations in the book are gorgeous and the focus is on green and white.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
On Sunday as the temperature continued to climb into the upper 90’s, I decided to go to the movies.
The movie, Inside Out 2 was everything I wanted it to be and more. Not only is it a great movie for children but also for adults.
A certified etiquette expert will greatly benefit from watching “Inside Out 2” due to the film’s deep exploration of emotions and their impact on behavior, which is highly relevant to the teaching of manners and social conduct.
Inside Out 2 Movie and Why Certified Etiquette Experts Need to See It
Understanding Emotional Influence on Behavior
1. Emotional Awareness: “Inside Out 2” continues to explore the complex landscape of emotions, showing how different feelings can influence thoughts, decisions, and actions. Etiquette involves understanding one’s own emotions and those of others to navigate social interactions gracefully. The movie helps experts illustrate how emotions like joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust play crucial roles in how people behave and respond to social situations.
2. Empathy and Perspective-Taking: The movie emphasizes empathy and understanding others’ perspectives, essential components of good manners. By seeing how characters in the movie manage and understand their emotions, an etiquette expert can develop exercises to teach students how to empathize with others, improving their ability to interact considerately and thoughtfully.
Practical Applications in Etiquette Classes
3. Real-Life Scenarios: The scenarios depicted in “Inside Out 2” can serve as relatable examples for students. For instance, how characters handle conflict, manage stress, and express joy can be dissected to demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate responses in real-life situations. This can be particularly useful in role-playing exercises during etiquette training.
4. Emotional Regulation: The film’s portrayal of emotional regulation strategies can be integrated into lessons on managing emotions in social settings. Teaching students how to stay calm under pressure, handle disappointment gracefully, or express happiness without overwhelming others can be enhanced by referencing specific scenes from the movie.
5. Social Cues and Body Language: “Inside Out 2” can help highlight the importance of non-verbal communication. By observing how characters’ body language and facial expressions convey their emotions, certified etiquette experts can teach students to read and respond to social cues more effectively, a crucial skill in practicing good manners.
Enhancing Engagement and Learning
6. Engaging Learning Tool: Using a popular and emotionally engaging movie like “Inside Out 2” makes learning about manners more interesting and relatable, especially for younger students. The visual and narrative elements of the film can help reinforce lessons in a memorable way.
7. Discussion and Reflection: After watching the movie, certified etiquette experts can facilitate discussions about the characters’ emotional journeys and how these relate to real-life experiences. This can encourage students to reflect on their own emotions and behaviors, promoting self-awareness and personal growth.
Incorporating “Inside Out 2” into etiquette classes allows experts to leverage the film’s exploration of emotions to teach key principles of good manners, making the lessons more engaging, relatable, and impactful.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Being kind and being nice are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two.
Teaching kindness to children is a topic that can easily be added to your manners classes. Teaching children the difference between being kind and being nice can help them develop empathy, authenticity, and a deeper understanding of their actions and their impact on others.
The Subtle Differences of Being Kind and Nice
Motivation: Kindness is typically driven by genuine care, empathy, and a desire to help others. It stems from a deep sense of compassion and a willingness to make a positive impact. Being nice, on the other hand, may be driven by social expectations or a desire to be liked. It can sometimes be more superficial and focused on maintaining positive interactions without necessarily coming from a place of true empathy.
Authenticity: Kindness often comes from an authentic and sincere place within oneself. It reflects a genuine concern for others’ well-being and a desire to contribute positively to their lives. Niceness can sometimes be more surface-level and may involve putting on a pleasant facade without necessarily reflecting one’s true feelings or intentions.
Impact: Kindness tends to have a deeper and lasting impact on people’s lives. Acts of kindness can be transformative and create a positive ripple effect. It can bring about meaningful change, foster connections, and uplift individuals emotionally. Niceness, while still pleasant and polite, may not have the same lasting impact or depth of connection.
Boundaries: Kindness can involve setting healthy boundaries when necessary. It may involve having difficult conversations or providing constructive feedback for the well-being of others. Niceness, on the other hand, may avoid conflict or uncomfortable situations, potentially leading to a lack of authenticity or a failure to address underlying issues.
What Is the Difference Between Being Kind Versus Nice?
In summary, while kindness and niceness share similarities and both involve treating others well, kindness typically stems from genuine care, empathy, and a desire to make a positive impact. It often involves deeper connections and lasting effects, while niceness can sometimes be more surface-level and focused on social expectations or politeness without the same level of authenticity or impact.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Creating a beautiful life in the summer for etiquette experts involves blending our love of social skills and graces with the joys and highlights of the summer season.
For some, summer is a verb! For others, it is a time of balancing family time and business.
I have a few ideas today on how we create a beautiful summer. As we know, it helps when we are intentional.
Here Are Tips and Ideas to Help Etiquette Experts Create a Beautiful Life in the Summer
1. Host Elegant Gatherings
Garden Parties: Host afternoon teas or brunches in a garden with floral arrangements and fine china.
Picnics: Organize chic picnics with picnic baskets, comfortable blankets, and a selection of gourmet snacks and beverages.
Evening Soirees: Arrange outdoor dinners or cocktail parties with tasteful decorations and ambient lighting.
2. Mindful Social Etiquette
Gracious Invitations: Send out personalized invitations well in advance, either digitally or on printed cards.
Thoughtful Hosting: Be attentive to guests’ comfort, dietary preferences, and eye prepared for engaging conversations.
Thank You Notes: Always send handwritten thank you notes to express gratitude after attending or hosting events.
3. Travel Plans
Cultural Excursions: Visit museums, historical sites, and art galleries to appreciate cultural enrichment.
Scenic Destinations: Plan trips to picturesque locations like coastal towns, vineyards, or countryside estates.
Travel Etiquette: Practice courteous behavior while traveling, such as being punctual, respectful to locals, and leaving places as clean as you found them.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Parents and educators need your help to teach manners at home and in schools. They need etiquette experts to guide them and their children/students.
Children need help with all levels of social skills – from the basics (eye contact, posture, etc.) to conversation skills.
Generation Z is now landing in the workplace and so many emails are coming in asking to help them integrate into a professional environment. Using good judgment and critical thinking skills seems to be the top of the list when we are contacted by human resource department.
It is never too early to start teaching manners. Ideally, children and young adults should know the basic skills mentioned above.
From the time they were born, Generation Z has had a device to rely on for most everything. This is the first generation to have devices since the time of birth to now as a young adult. We are seeing the results of what it is like for our lives to orbit around our phones, computers, etc.
What is in store for this generation? They are also the ones who were attending their last years of college during the pandemic. Many took classes virtually and had very little social interrelations. Could this be part of the reason why they feel a bit uncomfortable starting a new job and going into an office everyday facing the need to be social?
Over the years as I have worked with parents and teachers, I often hear the comment “they will listen to you more than me”- meaning, when teaching manners, children listen to a third party. For some reason this is the way of the world.
How and Where Can You Teach Manners to Children Right Now
You might be asking yourself by now, “how can I help”.
Parents are looking for creative ways to supplement their children’s education. In fact, this has been the case for years.
You can teach manners to children in their home. This is part of our licensing and certification training. We have all the lesson plans and handout as well as the marketing materials for you to get started with private instructions with families.
A private manners instruction was one of my favorite ways to teach children.
When we train you, you learn how to instruct this way as well as the fees to charge. You also discover how to customize this type of instruction.
2. There has been a focus at the school level in many states to focus on the whole child. Character building programs are sought out by many school districts.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
