What children can learn about manners at each age
- Toddlers can learn to say or sign please and thank you, with lots of reminders.
- Preschoolers can learn sorry, excuse me, waiting for a turn, and greeting people.
- School children can learn why: kind words make other people feel good, and a real sorry means fixing what went wrong.
Children learn manners mostly by copying the adults around them. A song gives them the words; your example does the rest.
What to type in the form
- Which words: please, thank you, sorry, excuse me, hello, goodbye.
- Real moments for each: asking for juice, getting a present, bumping into a friend, needing to pass.
- A friendly hook: a "magic words" chorus, or a class mascot who says them.
- A name for one child, or "we" for a class.
How to use it without nagging
Teach the song when everyone is relaxed, not as a telling-off. Sing it before meals or a playdate, then notice and thank your child when they use the words: "You said please, that was kind." Say please and thank you to your child too. If they forget, a quiet prompt like "what's the magic word?" works better than playing the song at them. For hugs and kisses, let children choose: a wave or a high five is polite too.
Greetings belong in a manners song too: a friendly hello, a wave or a high five can all be in it. Let children choose how to greet; nobody has to hug.
Accuracy and tone
Read the lyrics before the song is made. Check that the song praises good choices and never calls a child rude or naughty. The writer is told never to shame, but you know your child best. If your family has its own words, such as "may I", write them in. For a song about turns and sharing, see the sharing song.
Style and voice
Playful and bouncy suits most manners songs; campfire sing-along works for a class to sing together before lunch. Choose a warm female or male voice. The lyrics are ready about a minute after payment, you can change any word or ask for up to 3 fresh drafts, and the song is sung in about 2 to 4 minutes. See pricing for packs.
Ideas for a manners song series
- A snack-time song with please and thank you.
- A sorry song that ends with making it right.
- A greeting song for visitors: hello, how are you, goodbye.
- A waiting-my-turn song for the slide or the talking stick.
- A thank-you song for after a birthday party, naming who brought what.
One habit per song keeps the message clear. Packs of 5 and 20 bring the price per song down.
Play each song every day for a week or two, at the moment the words are needed, such as before snack. After that, the chorus alone makes a friendly reminder.
Example lyrics
Made with Still Morning for a made-up class, from these details: "A manners song for a preschool class at snack time: please may I have some water, thank you for the apple slices, excuse me when we need to pass, sorry if we bump a friend. Chorus: kind words are magic words. Cheerful, no telling off.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] Please may I have some water? Thank you for the apple slice Excuse me when I need to pass Sorry if I bump you twice Kind words make our snack time nice Kind words make our snack time nice [Chorus] Kind words are magic words Say them every day Please and thank you, sorry too They help us learn and play [Verse 2] When we share the crayon box We can take a turn and wait If a friend is feeling sad A kind word is never late Kind words make our classroom great Kind words make our classroom great [Chorus] Kind words are magic words Say them every day Please and thank you, sorry too They help us learn and play [Bridge] Clap your hands for please and thank you Stomp your feet for sorry too Wave hello and say excuse me Kind words work for me and you [Chorus] Kind words are magic words Say them every day Please and thank you, sorry too They help us learn and play
What it cannot do
A song does not make children polite on its own; modeling and gentle reminders do. It makes no promise about behavior. It cannot know your family's words unless you type them.
Questions parents ask
What is a good please and thank you song for toddlers?
A short one with just please and thank you, two everyday moments and a repeated chorus. Choose the toddler age band.
Can the song teach saying sorry?
Yes. Ask for a verse about sorry and a way to make it right, like helping rebuild the tower.
Will the song make my child feel told off?
No. The writer is told never to shame. The song praises kind words rather than scolding.
Can I make it for table manners?
Yes. Name the habits you want: sitting at the table, asking to leave, passing food, saying thank you for the meal.
Can the song include greetings for a new class?
Yes, or use a good morning song for greetings and keep this one for please and thank you.
Can my child's name be in it?
Yes. A name is optional; add it and the chorus sings it.
Can I make a thank-you song for a teacher?
Yes. Name what the children want to thank them for, using first names only, and choose a warm style.
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).