Teaching Toddlers Manners: Please and Thank You

<p>What if teaching toddlers to say “please” and “thank you” isn’t really about manners at all? </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, I explore how we can move beyond forcing polite words and instead help children develop genuine gratitude, connection, cooperation, and humility from the inside out. You’ll learn how music, repetition, modeling, and playful prompts can teach manners without shame, blame, or coercion. I also share a sweet story that demonstrates how a simple song can help toddlers naturally remember to say “thank you.” </p><p><br></p><p>🎤 <strong>Want to be the first to watch Cara’s upcoming TED Talk, “Grown-Ups Don’t Know Everything”?</strong> Sign up for Cara’s newsletter at <a href="www.caratyrrell.com/bio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>caratyrrell.com</strong></a> to be the first to know when the talk is released!</p><p><br></p><p>September 22, 2026</p><p>Episode 349</p><p>Teaching Toddlers Manners: Please and Thank You</p><p><br></p><p>About Your Host:</p><p><strong>Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed.</strong> is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="www.core4parenting.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠</a>A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.</p><p><br></p><p>As host of the top-ranking podcast <em>Transforming the Toddler Years</em>, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Them-Early-Often-Intentional/dp/0807783706/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a3wGn4kvt7mIIHnr35I6qENm9e121W-KnYNTsO1t5rmN33qKELuqrWe6FKmZCwPdovFNSVpakV06vU8W7_UdbdTsMLz4Y02NH5o_UBKbi954NBF5RZ8WNE8fBXFY8xv7votWtYnJjHuexDWUV_1wbPoDB4Isk4Dsqz401ZaNWsgZ-CdbG0FoEc_hWqEZSGzaaeroduc_5YQVm8g40KRplA.5qkNMBJ8ov-JXeueLqq8Q0UsPUQJ1kTITri8u7rDaVo&qid=1764170370&sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><em>T</em>⁠<em>alk to Them Early and Often</em>⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> ⁠⁠⁠⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and lif