Teaching manners and etiquette at an early age is crucial in order for youth to have a successful future, according to the National Education Association.  Many children do not have the opportunity at home to learn this skill, which leaves educators and other organizations with the responsibility to teach this important component. 

When discussing the needs of students in the local school system, the 4-H Manners Program is requested on a regular basis more and more each year. Four elementary schools housing nine 3^rd graders consisting of 280+ students. For each session, students focused on different topics including what it means to be nice and polite, table manners, meeting and greeting and being a friend.

At the beginning of each session, students were asked how they like to be treated and how they treated others. Students also participated in practicing manners at the dinner table, meeting and greeting someone for the first time. 

 Post-test Results:

85% of students reported knowing how to apply table manners at home, school and other occasions.

90% of students reported feeling they had improved their meeting and greeting skills when meeting someone for the first time.