The purpose of Manners of the Heart At the Table is to teach children respectful behavior to support and improve their relationships with others. When your students learn to serve others before they serve themselves at the lunch table, it becomes natural to put the needs of others ahead of their wants on the playground. When children learn to listen and participate in conversation at the table, they more readily listen and participate in class. When children learn table manners, they’re learning how to respect others and respect themselves. This curriculum has been carefully studied, researched and tested in the lives of children.