Phrases to use with young children
First/ Then - First (state action the adult needs the child to do)
then (name a preferred action that can be given or completed
immediately). First eat your lunch then we can play outside.
rather than a question. If you say to your child, Do you want to
or Can you….. They have the option to say no. It can quickly
become a power struggle when you are trying to get them to do
something like put on shoes after they have said ‘no’. When
phrased as Time to put on shoes, wash hands etc, it takes the
ownership off of the person making the statement and makes it
about the time/schedule.
then (name a preferred action that can be given or completed
immediately). First eat your lunch then we can play outside.
Time to - This phrase helps children as it provides a directive
x
x
rather than a question. If you say to your child, Do you want to
or Can you….. They have the option to say no. It can quickly
become a power struggle when you are trying to get them to do
something like put on shoes after they have said ‘no’. When
phrased as Time to put on shoes, wash hands etc, it takes the
ownership off of the person making the statement and makes it
about the time/schedule.
Give Choices - When providing choices to children, it is best
to limit them to two or three options. The adult should select
the options and allow the child to choose then honor that
selection. For example, You can have a red marker or a blue
marker. You can have a banana or an apple. Notices these
phrases did not start wtih “Do you want”.
to limit them to two or three options. The adult should select
the options and allow the child to choose then honor that
selection. For example, You can have a red marker or a blue
marker. You can have a banana or an apple. Notices these
phrases did not start wtih “Do you want”.
