Children in Atlanta mind their manners though lessons in etiquette and ballroom dancing.
TERESA Libbey teaches children the art of manners and etiquette. As a local chapter director for the National League of Junior Cotillions, her three-year programme works to teach children in the fifth grade through the eighth grade.
Tuition for the first year is US$275 (about RM905), but Libbey often discounts the cost.
Children of all social backgrounds are encouraged to learn social courtesies needed for better relationships with both family and friends.
The students learn and practise life skills and ballroom dancing not offered elsewhere. The social and character education components of the programme include rules of proper telephone courtesy, acknowledgments of gifts, introductions, participating in group settings, polite conversation, paying and receiving compliments, behaviour at cultural and civic events, table manners, formal place settings, styles of dining, skills involved in being a guest, hostess or host. Other topics covered are the ethics involved in the areas of having honour, dignity, respect, honesty, fairness, a caring attitude, accountability and citizenship.
Libbey works to teach “gentlemen and ladies” self-confidence and character, and helps set boundaries of behaviour.
In addition to the traditional etiquette training, the group also offers proper manners and guidelines for e-mail, mobile phones and other electronic communication.
The cotillions (formal balls) provide these young people with the opportunity to practise and use these skills.
“Parents do not have the time to teach these skills,” Libbey said. “The children learn better with their peers.” – EPA
