Early Childhood Manners Play Kit for Little Ones
Help your toddler or preschooler learn please, thank you, sharing, and taking turns — through play-based activities, colorful printables, and simple daily habits built for ages 2–6. Because good manners start before kindergarten.
From Vernon J. DeFlanders Sr. — U.S. Air Force veteran, retired federal engineer, and author of Teaching Kids Good Manners the Old-School Way.
The best time to build good manners is before the bad habits set in. Children ages 2–6 are in the golden window — their brains are wiring for habits right now. This play kit makes it easy to build the right ones through short, joyful activities they will actually want to do again.
Kisha M., mom of a 4-year-old, Dallas, TX:
“My daughter asks to do the manners activities every morning. She’s been saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ without prompting for three weeks straight. I didn’t think it would work this fast.”
“My daughter asks to do the manners activities every morning. She’s been saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ without prompting for three weeks straight. I didn’t think it would work this fast.”
Ms. Angela T., Pre-K teacher, Columbus, OH:
“I printed the sharing game cards and used them during center time. By the end of the week, my whole class was practicing taking turns independently. The coloring page went home as a homework activity and parents loved it.”
“I printed the sharing game cards and used them during center time. By the end of the week, my whole class was practicing taking turns independently. The coloring page went home as a homework activity and parents loved it.”
Grandma Rose, grandmother of three, Birmingham, AL:
“I keep the activity kit at my house for when the grandchildren visit. It turns good manners into something we all do together — and they ask to do it again every time.”
“I keep the activity kit at my house for when the grandchildren visit. It turns good manners into something we all do together — and they ask to do it again every time.”
What’s Inside the Play Kit
Manners Coloring Page — A fun, illustrated coloring activity that introduces please, thank you, sharing, and taking turns in a way little ones instantly understand and remember.
5 Hands-On Activity Cards — Play-based manners games your child can do with you, a sibling, or a small group — including a sharing game, a turn-taking circle activity, and a “magic words” practice game.
Manners Song Guide — A simple, singable manners song with lyrics parents and caregivers can use at home, in the car, or during circle time — because young children learn best through music and repetition.
Manners Reward Chart — A printable sticker chart where little ones earn a star for each manners moment — saying please, waiting their turn, or sharing with a friend. Filling the chart earns a small, parent-chosen reward.
Parent and Caregiver Guide — Simple, age-appropriate guidance on introducing manners to toddlers and preschoolers without power struggles — including what to say, how to model, and how to handle setbacks with patience.
How to Use It — Week by Week
Week 1
Please and Thank You — Start with the two magic words. Read the coloring page together, then spend the week noticing every chance to use “please” and “thank you.” Reward every attempt — not just the perfect ones.
Week 2
Sharing with a Friend — Introduce the sharing game card. Play it at home with a sibling, stuffed animal, or grandparent. Keep sessions short — 5 minutes — and end on a win every time.
Week 3
Taking Turns — Use the turn-taking activity card. Practice at mealtime or during play. Sing the manners song together — it reinforces the habit in a way that sticks for days.
Week 4
Putting It All Together — Use the full reward chart. Let your child put their own star on the chart after each good manners moment. Celebrate the full chart with something small they love.
Daily Habit
The Morning Magic Words Check — Each morning at breakfast, ask your child: “What are our magic words today?” They say “please” and “thank you.” One question. 10 seconds. That simple anchor sets the tone for the whole day.
Weekly Win
End-of-Week Celebration — On Friday evening, look at the reward chart together and count the stars. Name what your child did well. Hug them. The celebration is part of the learning — don’t skip it.
Real Talk
When They Forget — They will forget. Toddlers and preschoolers forget everything — and that’s okay. Gently prompt: “What’s our magic word?” and move on. No lectures. No shame. Just a calm, consistent reminder.
Common Struggles — and What Actually Helps
“My toddler never says please or thank you no matter how much I remind them.”
Reminding alone rarely works. The magic words have to be modeled constantly AND connected to something positive. The reward chart makes saying “please” feel like winning — and toddlers love to win.
Reminding alone rarely works. The magic words have to be modeled constantly AND connected to something positive. The reward chart makes saying “please” feel like winning — and toddlers love to win.
“My child grabs things and hits when they don’t get their way.”
This is developmentally normal at ages 2–3. The sharing game card introduces sharing as a fun activity, not a sacrifice — which is the only framing that works with this age group.
This is developmentally normal at ages 2–3. The sharing game card introduces sharing as a fun activity, not a sacrifice — which is the only framing that works with this age group.
“My preschooler interrupts constantly.”
Use the turn-taking activity to practice waiting — in a game format, not a correction. When waiting is a game, children practice it willingly. When it’s a demand, they resist. The activity card handles this distinction for you.
Use the turn-taking activity to practice waiting — in a game format, not a correction. When waiting is a game, children practice it willingly. When it’s a demand, they resist. The activity card handles this distinction for you.
“My child does great with us but acts out with other kids.”
The sharing game works best when practiced with other children. Set up a short playdate or use circle time and introduce the card as “our new sharing game.” Social practice is the only real practice for social skills.
The sharing game works best when practiced with other children. Set up a short playdate or use circle time and introduce the card as “our new sharing game.” Social practice is the only real practice for social skills.
“I start strong but forget to keep it going after the first week.”
The Parent Guide includes a simple “one thing per day” reminder system. Put the chart on the fridge. One glance tells you where you are and what comes next — no planning required.
The Parent Guide includes a simple “one thing per day” reminder system. Put the chart on the fridge. One glance tells you where you are and what comes next — no planning required.
Keep the Learning Going
As your little one grows, keep building on this foundation with the Polite Greetings Toolkit — the natural next step that takes the confidence built here and adds hellos, introductions, and goodbyes for any setting.
Questions Parents Ask
What ages is this for?
Ages 2–6. The coloring page and song work for the youngest toddlers; the activity cards and reward chart are ideal for preschoolers ages 3–6. Everything scales down or up based on your child’s maturity.
Ages 2–6. The coloring page and song work for the youngest toddlers; the activity cards and reward chart are ideal for preschoolers ages 3–6. Everything scales down or up based on your child’s maturity.
What format does it come in?
A downloadable PDF you print at home. The coloring page, activity cards, and reward chart are designed for standard 8.5×11 paper. The activity cards can be cut apart and laminated for repeated use.
A downloadable PDF you print at home. The coloring page, activity cards, and reward chart are designed for standard 8.5×11 paper. The activity cards can be cut apart and laminated for repeated use.
Can preschool teachers use this?
Yes. The activity cards and song work well in circle time, center time, and small-group settings. Several Pre-K teachers have used the sharing and turn-taking cards as part of their SEL routine. One license covers one classroom.
Yes. The activity cards and song work well in circle time, center time, and small-group settings. Several Pre-K teachers have used the sharing and turn-taking cards as part of their SEL routine. One license covers one classroom.
My child is 2 — is this too advanced?
Not at all. Start with just the coloring page and the song. The magic words practice (please and thank you) is developmentally appropriate for 18 months and up. Add the activity cards when your child is ready — there’s no rush.
Not at all. Start with just the coloring page and the song. The magic words practice (please and thank you) is developmentally appropriate for 18 months and up. Add the activity cards when your child is ready — there’s no rush.
Can I use this alongside a behavior chart we already use?
Absolutely. The reward chart in this kit focuses specifically on manners moments — it works alongside any general behavior chart you’re already using without creating confusion.
Absolutely. The reward chart in this kit focuses specifically on manners moments — it works alongside any general behavior chart you’re already using without creating confusion.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If you use the play kit for two weeks and don’t see any improvement in your child’s manners habits, contact us for a full refund — no questions asked.
Yes. If you use the play kit for two weeks and don’t see any improvement in your child’s manners habits, contact us for a full refund — no questions asked.
More Manners Resources
Polite Greetings Toolkit for Kids
The natural next step — teach confident hellos, introductions, and goodbyes for any setting, building on the foundation started here.
The natural next step — teach confident hellos, introductions, and goodbyes for any setting, building on the foundation started here.
Table Manners Toolkit for Kids
Turn mealtime battles into wins — a structured 7-day plan covering posture, utensils, polite requests, and asking to be excused.
Turn mealtime battles into wins — a structured 7-day plan covering posture, utensils, polite requests, and asking to be excused.
Conversation Skills Toolkit for Kids
When your child is ready for real two-way conversation — scripts, starter cards, and listening practice for ages 6 and up.
When your child is ready for real two-way conversation — scripts, starter cards, and listening practice for ages 6 and up.
Addressing Adults with Respect Toolkit
Teach your child to speak to teachers, relatives, and neighbors with confidence, eye contact, and genuine respect.
Teach your child to speak to teachers, relatives, and neighbors with confidence, eye contact, and genuine respect.
Manners Rewards Chart
A free printable behavior and manners tracking system that makes good habits visible — and worth celebrating.
A free printable behavior and manners tracking system that makes good habits visible — and worth celebrating.
Teaching Kids Good Manners the Old-School Way
Vernon’s flagship book — the big-picture foundation behind every toolkit on this site.
Vernon’s flagship book — the big-picture foundation behind every toolkit on this site.
Ready to Start Building Good Manners from the Very Beginning?
For $7.99, you get everything your little one needs to learn please, thank you, sharing, and taking turns — through play, not pressure. The habits you build now will last a lifetime.
Printable. Playful. Proven.
Get the Play Kit – $7.99