Good Manners Will Give Every Child an Edge!
Whether in the classroom, an interview, at a friend’s house
Or at home, nice manners say “nice child!”

Tadpole Dreams was developed nearly a decade ago under the name of Camp Manners. With five rowdy young boys and two daughters between them, founders Peggy Turnblacer and Denise Rosson found there just wasn’t enough time between soccer practice, school and other activities to emphasize the importance of good manners as their parents had years before.

“On some nights our table manners consisted of saying “Please” before ordering a Number 9 at McDonalds and eating it on the way to practice,” said Mrs. Rosson. “When I was growing up we ate dinner together as a family every night and on Sundays we had formal dinners with emphasis on good manners. It just isn’t like that anymore but good manners remain just as important as they were back then. Numerous studies have shown that children with good manners and social skills have an easier time in school and later in their jobs. Good manners foster success.”

That is when they dreamed up Camp Manners designed to attract both boys and girls. The interactive manners program was an instant success with all of the classes filled to capacity at the local community center. The state of Maryland also thought the program was a winner and provided a state funding grant so that Mrs. Turnblacer, a middle school teacher and head of the English Department at Corkran Middle School and Mrs. Rosson could teach the program in the Annapolis housing projects.

“There was some question about whether children from the projects would be interested in attending a manners boot camp, if you will,” said Mrs. Turnblacer. “But the children absolutely loved the program. They turned up faithfully every day and learned their lessons well. They seemed to realize that these little habits might help them get by in school and real world better and more successfully. We were so inspired by those kids. It was a real win win for everyone.”

The program combines more than 50 age appropriate crafts and activities as well a  40-page manners handbook. It is funny, lighthearted but is very effective in reminding and in some cases teaching children how to behave with civility and confidence in an increasingly uncivil world.