Talking to Young Children: Do Say “Do”
September 26th, 2011
by Katrina Brooke
Try telling children what you want them to do rather than what not to do. Using “Do” rather than “Don’t” may be difficult at first, but the improved relationships that result will make it well worth your thought and practice.
EXAMPLES:
DO: Hold your coat so it is off the ground DON’T: Don’t drag your coat on the ground
DO: Carry the kitty gently DON’T: Don’t squeeze the kitty
DO: Please close the door softly. DON’T: Don’t slam the door
DO: Color on this paper. DON’T: Don’t draw on the table.
–Winning Ways to Talk with Young Children
Think about what you WANT a child to do and ask your child(ren), with respect, to do it.
Often children do not hear the word “DON’T”, just the action you are talking about.
If you say “DON’T RUN INSIDE” they hear “Run Inside”, if you use the action word you want them to do “Walk” you have asked then to do what you want in a positive way. “Please walk inside”
-Katrina Brooke, Director of The Shyne School
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