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MARQUETTE -- Most of us learn the words 'Please' and 'Thank You' during childhood, but in this day and age, are manners disappearing when it comes to interacting with others? According to some, they may be on the verge of extinction, which is why one local classroom is keeping them alive.

Ask nicely and you shall receive. It's a motto in Ms. Elsenbroek's class at the YMCA Early Childhood Program. They teach what's called a 'creative curriculum,' using words like 'Please' and 'Thank You' to develop empathy toward others.

"When a child learns to be empathetic with others early on, it becomes common to them, it becomes a habit," said Jennifer Elsenbroek, a lead teacher of the orange room at the school.

The habit also translates to other etiquette later in life, like opening the door for others, shaking hands, or simply not using your cell phone in an elevator.

"One of the threads that holds a society together is cultivating a sense of civility, a respect, a politeness," said Dr. Alan McEvoy, department head of Sociology and Social Work at Northern Michigan University.

So why is this trend disappearing, and how did we lose it in the first place?

McEvoy said much to blame is what we see on TV. For example, outbursts, like the one from Representative Joe Wilson during President Barack Obama's State of the Address speech in 2009. Wilson yelled out, "You lie."

"We elevate them to a status they don't really deserve and without necessarily the critique, and I worry what message that sends to young people," McEvoy said.

Facebook fan Lucy Dagenais wonders, "What happened to the etiquette of sending a Thank You for graduation, wedding, or shower gifts? More times than not, I hear nothing from a person after I send a gift."

"Some expression of acknowledgement is an important act we need to reinforce, and what does it say when we don't do that? It's almost a slap in the face when we don't acknowledge acts of kindness," McEvoy said.

Even mastering something easy like table manners can also translate to how you treat others later in life.