When it comes to table manners, is your child more caveman than cute? Teaching your child the proper expectations at mealtime is one of those things you'll want to get an early start on. Your child is never too young to start learning. In fact, taking the time to teach your child good table manners will likely save you from a whole lot of embarrassment among family and friends. While there's no need to sign your child up for etiquette classes - at least not yet - there are some basic tenets for getting your child started on the right note. Always encourage children to chew with their mouths closed. If they have something to say, they should wait until their mouths are no longer full to do so. Unless your child is a baby, the only foods that should be eaten with fingers are finger foods. Everything else should be consumed with a fork or a spoon. Elbows should be off the table. Children should sit up straight and practice good posture while eating instead of hunching over their plates.