• Do unto others. When your child forgets to be considerate, ask him to close his eyes until he can picture himself standing in the other person's shoes, literally. What does it feel like to be treated in the way he treated the person in question? What treatment would he want in the same situation?

• Think before speaking. Children often react to conflict by calling another child a mean name. Nobody wins: both name-caller and playmate feel wounded. Children can respond to conflict with feelings and reason: "If you take two turns in a row, that doesn't feel fair to me. Let's trade off."

• Be inclusive. Want to put a smile on another child's face? Encourage your child to include shy or new children to join her group. Children should also make introductions between friends who do not know each other.

• Discreet. There is no need for children to discuss party plans or play dates in front of children who may not be invited.

• Children should hold doors open and give up bus seats for adults, as well as for people of any age who may need assistance.

• Know your surroundings. While it may be OK to talk during a DVD showing in the family room, it is not OK to talk during a movie shown in a public theater. Disturbing other people's evening out is a no-no.

• Eye contact. Not looking into the eyes of someone who is talking to you is tantamount to ignoring that person and just plain rude. A child's shyness is often the culprit behind lack of eye contact; practice is the solution.