Did you know the average child hears 432 negative comments or words per day versus 32 positive ones? (Source: K. Kvols, Redirecting Children’s Behavior)
If there were a hidden camera in your house, how many times per day would you catch yourself saying “No” or “Don’t” to your kids?
NO or DON’T commands create several problems, especially for young kids…
- Double-processing. “Don’t” commands require a child to “double-process.” He has to think “Well, what does she NOT want me to do?” and “What does she want me to DO instead?” This can be very confusing, especially for young kids.
- It reinforces the negative behavior. Instead of hearing what you want the child to do, she is reminded of what she shouldn’t do. Which command do you think she’ll remember?
- It’s discouraging. If 93% of the feedback you received during the day were negative, you would likely feel discouraged. That’s how our kids feel.
I’m not suggesting we can eradicate all of the “Don’t” or “No” commands from our communication, but we can make shifts in the percentages with the following strategies:
- Practice using “DO” commands. Calmly state what you want your child to DO. Rather than, “Don’t run in the house.” Try, “Please use your walking feet in the house.” Rather than, “Don’t chew with your mouth open.” Try, “Please try to make your lips touch each other as you’re chewing.”
- Find opportunities to say YES! Rephrase your comments to imply “YES.” Rather than, “No, we don’t have time to go to the park today;” try “The park sounds awesome! Would you rather go Wednesday evening or Saturday morning?” Instead of, “Don’t color on the walls.” Try (in a calm voice!) “You can color on this paper or with sidewalk chalk outside.” Rather than, “We’re not going anywhere until that room is clean!” Try – “YES, when your room is clean, then we’ll leave for the mall. Sounds like fun!” (She still has to clean her room but it’s more encouraging hearing a YES response rather than a NO.)
What are some of the ways you use words as a tool for better parenting? Tell us in the comments below.
So, how can we help you?
About the Author
"Absolute
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the reminder…especially after today, I needed to hear it!
Glad it helped! We all need those reminders from time to time.
This is something I struggle with every single day with my 3 kids. It is so hard!!!
Tamara, we all struggle with it but together we can help remind each other to remember!
Thanks!
One that I have used and seems to work is the word “get”. When my 3 year old was fighting with me on having her hair brushed I said “ok, you do not get to have your hair brushed then.” and immediately she said “I want my hair brushed!”, calmed her pouting, sat down nice and let me do it. I have also used it when I want her to do something I know she doesn’t care for, before she says anything “Now you get to have your boots on(said excitedly)!”
Not sure if it is the best method but sometimes the reverse psychology does work.
Love this! Words have such power! For kids third grade and up, we use the word (and song) “whatever” as a clever choice for feeling better. Works like a charm. Also, “Oh, you are such a little nonconformist!” adds humor to any situation. When a child is worrying…”Is there a little monkey thought in your head?” They love that monkey imagine. Words are so cool for teaching positivity! Love that you’re pointing this out!