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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