Most grown adults can give at least some credit to Judith Martin, a.k.a. Miss Manners, for their early childhood etiquette "expertise." After all, who else knew more about the who, what, where and when of table settings and "please" and "thank yous"? Kids today have another manner motivator in Judi Johnston Vankevich, president and founder of The Manners Club & Life Skills International, to help them show a little courtesy.

Through The Manners Club (www.themannersclub.com), "Judi the Manners Lady" teaches children to bring their best attitude to the dinner table, sports field, classroom and even to the telephone or computer. "If you can get kids laughing and singing they will never forget what they learn about manners at the same time," says the international etiquette expert and mother. "Kids need to learn to be polite at the table whether they are at home or away."

Judi the Manners Lady lives and breathes The Golden Rule, spreading the word that kids should "treat others as they would like to be treated." She offers the following advice to parents on the important and sometimes-overlooked subject of table manners in today's fast-paced society:

• Your family is a team. Every child needs to have a part to play in preparing the dinner or setting the table. Assign jobs for each child to do, or make it a game and let them "draw" their jobs from the Job Box. There is a saying that says, "People will support what they help to create." If children feel as if they are an important part of your family "team," then they'll enjoy being together more. If every child has a job, then they're already in the kitchen when it's time to sit down and eat. Plus, they'll appreciate all the work that went into preparing the meal."
• Begin the meal with either a prayer of thanks or a word of thanks to the cook. This reinforces an "attitude of gratitude" and reminds them of the millions of people who don't have anything to eat for dinner tonight. It also helps eliminate whining and complaining.
• Insist on "please," "thank you" and "you're welcome" at the table. Remind your children that The Golden Rule applies at the table too (i.e. if you don't want to see what everyone else is chewing in their mouth, then don't show them what's in your mouth).
• Conversation is an art – and it shows people that you care. Ask specific questions at the dinner table. Instead of "So how was your day?" ask "So, what did you do at recess today?" Encourage children to ask questions about Mom and Dad's day too. My mom has a great way to get conversation going during the holidays. She slips little pieces of paper with a question on it under everyone's plate and one by one each person (including guests) reads his question aloud and then answers it. We sure find out some amazing things about people.
• Praise children when you notice them being polite. Say, "I'm so proud of you!" "That was such a nice way to ask your brother to pass the milk! Good job, Alexi!"

• Child psychologists and nutritionists agree that most children begin to form important eating habits, such as table manners, healthy food choices, portion control and interaction with others outside of their family, between the ages of 3 and 5.
• Parents play an important role in teaching preschoolers how to be polite social eaters. If they constantly model these traits day in and day out, their children should develop those habits.
• The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that up to 15 percent of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 years are overweight, and those numbers are on the rise.
• Parents shouldn't worry too much about portion control of healthy, nutrient-dense food, but they should limit excessive snacking and unhealthy food options for young children.
• The family meal is a prime time for parents to pass on conversation skills and etiquette and manners to their kids.