Please and Thank You

Magic Words / Manners Song · Ages 2–8

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The two most important words in the language. This song makes them stick.

What the Magic Words song is

"Please and Thank You" is a manners song that turns the two most useful words in a kid's vocabulary into something they actually want to say. It treats "please" and "thank you" as magic words — small phrases with a big effect on how people respond and how kids feel about themselves when they use them.

The song keeps the message warm and concrete: please when you ask, thank you when you receive. That simple pairing is exactly what young kids need to start using manners on their own instead of only when prompted. It also gives the words a rhythm, so they roll off the tongue more naturally than a memorized rule.

How kids use it

Learn the chorus, then let it become the gentle nudge that replaces the constant "what do you say?" Over time, the goal is for kids to reach for the words without a reminder at all. Sing it at the moments manners matter most, and keep your tone playful so politeness feels welcoming rather than forced.

• Sing it at snack time, gift-giving, and any "can I have" moment
• Model the words yourself — kids copy what adults do far more than what adults say
• Catch and name it when a child uses manners unprompted
• Use "please" and "thank you" toward your kids too, so they hear it both ways

Why it works

Politeness is a learned social habit, and research tends to associate habit-building with frequent, low-pressure repetition. Many parents and teachers find that music makes practice feel like play, so kids rehearse the words dozens of times without it feeling like a drill. Framing manners as kindness — rather than obedience — also tends to help kids use them genuinely. Keep expectations age-appropriate: young children need lots of warm reminders, and consistency matters more than perfection.

In the classroom and at home

• Classroom teachers — weave it into snack, sharing, and helper routines
• Parents — sing it at the dinner table and during everyday requests
• Daycare and preschool staff — use it daily so manners become automatic
• Grandparents and caregivers — an easy, no-nag way to reinforce politeness

Suggested ages

Best for ages 2–8. Toddlers and preschoolers love the repetition, while older kids can talk about how manners make others feel. Explore more manners and values songs on the character development songs hub.

Try these next

Round out the manners lineup with Excuse Me, Please!, Inside Voice Song, and Hands to Yourself!.