Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Where did these etiquette training materials come from?
The curriculum materials were developed by Lew Bayer and Karen Mallett who have owned and operated a successful International etiquette training company in Canada (The Civility Group) for more than 10 years. The company is nationally recognized as a leader in the etiquette industry. The materials are based on extensive research, consultation with parents and teachers, as well as feedback and experience from hands-on sessions with children.
How long have these materials been used and by whom?
These materials have been used for over 10 years, and there are currently more than a dozen “etiquette ladies” companies and offices using them in Canada. Day care operators, schools, and community groups also use the materials and the supplemental "Courtesy for Kids" series of books upon which the curriculums are based. The “etiquette ladies” curriculums are used by etiquette trainers, parents, and teachers in Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The overwhelming international success of these programs is proof that courtesy and respect are the main principles in teaching civility. The materials are tailored specifically for the U.S. and have just become available beginning September 15, 2006 through a United States distributor, Manners Matter USA.
How do the Training Kits work?
We have three kits that are specifically designed for young children. Our first kit, “Macaroni and Please”, is designed for children, ages 3-7, while our second kit, "Proud to Be Polite" offers life skills lessons for children, ages 5-12. Our third kit, “Confidence is Cool” is designed for slightly older children, ages 8-12. The kits come with the following:
- An Instructor Guide that includes lesson plans, instructor notes, training tips, participant worksheets, answers to exercises, resource listings, and ideas for adding to the lessons.
- A Masters file which contains copies of participant worksheets and tip sheets that you can make copies of to distribute when you teach the lessons.
You can teach manners, etiquette and social skills to children quite effectively using just the kits; everything you need is included.
What makes MannersMatterUSA different from our competitors?
Most of our competitors who offer similar programs do so at a higher cost with fewer benefits. Where you may find 10 lessons for $200 or more, we offer a 30-lesson course curriculum for $129.99, easily one-third of the cost of other programs. In addition, many competitors charge extra for the rights to reproduce their materials or limit your ability to do so. Our program includes the right to make and distribute copies of our materials for teaching purposes at NO extra cost to you.
Are there other materials available?
Yes, we also offer a Monthly Manners resource website accessible online 24/7 at MonthlyManners.com. This program may be used as a building block for your manners teaching plan or as a supplemental resource to the training kits. You will have access to manners information, as well as a host of other benefits including tips and archived articles, just to name a few. Please note that Monthly Manners is not required to effectively use the training kits, but you may find the benefits included with Monthly Manners to be a valuable resource.
How would I apply the materials to a daycare setting?
The Macaroni and Please kit is for ages 3-7. It is perfect for daycares because there are 30 ten-minute lessons that can be expanded into one-hour sessions. Each lesson includes scripts and instructional material as well as ideas for activities and games. Also included are worksheets and activity pages that can be copied for your students' use. Use the curriculum as a value-added service, or create a profit by teaching your existing students our manners curriculum.
Do I have to have training to use the materials?
No training is required. All you need is a passion for courtesy and an interest in teaching it to children. The kits contain details about the history of etiquette, why each lesson is important, a list of supplies you will need to do the lesson, and other hints and directions for how to get the etiquette message in each lesson across.
If you want some formal training or if you are thinking of starting an etiquette business, In Good Company does offer training (see the Train the Trainer).
Why purchase from Manners Matter USA?
We are the Leading North American Supplier of Etiquette Books and Training Materials for Children. Our programs offer a proven course curriculum. They are not just books offering manners tips; instead, they are part of an affordable and complete training program. In addition to getting an easy-to-follow, comprehensive, proven course curriculum, you also get the right to use and reproduce the copyright materials over and over again. This is a huge advantage if you are operating your own etiquette business and will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on copyright fees.
What is my profit potential?
Profits vary depending on how many classes you teach a year and the number of students per class. The kits are very affordable at only $229 for all three kits. The going rate for a comparable manners session is $50-200 per child, depending on region, socioeconomic factors, etc. If you charge only $100 per child, your return on investment (ROI) is reached after teaching only two (2) children. Any courses you teach after that will be almost pure profit, and obviously, the more students in the course, the more profit you will make.