Please and Thank You Song

Singing manners-themed songs reinforces verbal habits through the power of music and makes practicing courtesy joyful rather than corrective.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Display lyrics for a manners song (to a familiar tune like 'Twinkle Twinkle' or create your own):

'Please and thank you, that's the way

We use kind words every day

Excuse me when I need to pass

I'm sorry if I do something bad

Please and thank you, that's the way

We use kind words every day!'

Sing the song through once while children listen. Then teach line by line, having children echo each phrase. Add simple gestures: bowing for 'please,' hand on heart for 'thank you,' gentle wave for 'excuse me.'

Once the song is learned, add rhythm instruments. Some children shake to the beat while others sing. Rotate so everyone experiences both.

Practise the song daily until it becomes automatic. Use it as a transition song, a gathering song, or a celebration after someone demonstrates excellent manners: 'Let's sing our manners song for Marcus because he just said such a polite thank you!'

Extend by inviting children to add verses: 'What other polite words could we add to our song?'

Educator tip

Visual cues or signs support early learners and children who are auditory processors. Point to words as you sing, even with pre-readers—this builds print awareness alongside manner vocabulary.

Assessment

Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Monitor participation in singing, lyric recall, gesture accuracy, and whether song vocabulary transfers to daily interactions.

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