Your next adventure could be a moment together.
Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
The best way of teaching kids manners is to play a little every day and say the words yourself. Please, thank you, excuse me and sorry stick when children hear them often and feel how good they land, not when they are told to repeat them. Below you will find 12 riddles and one turn-taking game you can use today.
12 magic word riddles to try today
Read each riddle aloud, let your child think, then share the answer. If they guess wrong, give a clue and cheer when they get it. Every answer is a magic word or a kind action.
- I’m small, but I open doors. Say me before you ask for something. What am I? Please.
- Someone gives you something nice, and you say me to make their smile grow. What am I? Thank you.
- If a friend is in your way, I’m the polite thing to say. What am I? Excuse me.
- I’m what you say when you bump a friend, a word that helps a hurt to mend. What am I? Sorry.
- I’m the first hello of the sunny day, said at breakfast right away. What am I? Good morning.
- I’m not a race, I’m not a rush; when your friend goes first, you don’t push. What am I? Waiting for your turn.
- Half for you and half for me, that’s how a snack can fairly be. What am I? Sharing.
- I’m two little hands that pick up the toys, for sisters and brothers and girls and boys. What am I? Helping.
- I take two ears and a quiet mouth, so the other person’s words come out. What am I? Listening.
- Before you grab a friend’s new toy, I’m the question that brings them joy. What am I? Asking to borrow.
- I don’t say a word, but friends can tell; I lift the corners and all is well. What am I? A smile.
- When a friend says thank you, I’m what you say back, two words that keep kindness on track. What am I? You’re welcome.
Pigúiça and Fofuxo’s turn game
This game practices waiting for your turn, one of the hardest skills at ages 3 and 4. You only need a talking object (a wooden spoon, a teddy bear or a rolled-up sock) and a soft ball. It works with two or more people.
- Step 1: explain the rule with a story: Pigúiça and Fofuxo have only one ball, and each one plays on their own turn.
- Step 2: hand the talking object to one person. Only the one holding it can talk. Everyone else listens and waits.
- Step 3: whoever holds the object shares one good thing about the day, then passes it on, saying “your turn.”
- Step 4: in round two, swap the object for the ball. Roll it back and forth like the two puppies, saying “thank you” each time you receive it.
- Step 5: celebrate the waiting with a hug or a “you waited, nice job!” No prize needed.
Start with one-minute rounds and stretch them slowly. Play sitting on the floor, with a grown-up nearby.
Why modeling beats telling
Children copy what they see. If you say “say thank you!” but never thank them, the word becomes an empty order. If you thank them, say please and apologize when you slip, they learn that this is how your family talks.
- Thank your child too: “thank you for putting the toy away.”
- Say please, even for small tasks.
- Apologize when you lose your patience. It is the strongest lesson of all.
- Praise the exact action: “I saw you wait while your brother finished.”
For more calm, connected ideas at home, read positive discipline without yelling.
Tips by age
Ages 3 to 4
Few words and lots of repetition. Focus on please and thank you, and say them beside your child. Pretend play with stuffed animals that ask and say thanks works very well. Practice turn-taking in very short rounds.
Ages 5 to 6
Now add excuse me and sorry. You can explain the reason: “your friend felt sad because you pushed.” Talking about feelings helps, and books about emotions for kids are great for it. Let your child pick the talking object.
Ages 7 to 8
Nag less and talk more. Chat about listening without interrupting, sharing and helping without being asked. Give small missions: greeting neighbors, thanking whoever serves the meal, apologizing by naming what happened: “sorry I took it without asking.”
What to do when your child forgets
Forgetting is normal, and being corrected in front of others feels embarrassing. Remind them kindly and in private:
- Agree on a secret signal, like a shoulder tap or a wink.
- Whisper the reminder, with no audience.
- Say the word yourself as a model and move on.
- Talk about it later, calmly, without scolding.
- Praise them when they remember on their own.
No punishment and no comparing with a sibling or friend. When you want a break, Pigúiça is waiting in the free game, and the book Dogavios shows her friendship with Fofuxo.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do kids start saying please and thank you?
Many start repeating them around ages 2 to 3, each at their own pace. Understanding why comes with time, and the example of adults speeds it up. If you have doubts about development, talk to your pediatrician.
Should I make my child say sorry?
It is better not to force it, because a forced sorry becomes an empty word. Invite your child to look at the other person’s feelings and suggest an action, like helping pick up what fell.
How do I teach waiting for a turn?
Warn ahead with phrases like “after Sam, it’s your turn,” use a talking object and start with short waits. Praise the waiting, even when it lasted just a few seconds.
Your next adventure could be a moment together.
Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
Your next adventure could be a moment together.
Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
