Positive Phrasing
Children can follow directions better when we say things in the positive.
If you tell children to talk quietly then the chances are they'll find it easy to follow. But if you say to them to stop yelling then it'll be very difficult for them to do. If you want them to stop yelling then you need to give them an alternative.
Parents need to focus less on what not to do and more on what to do for their children.
So what is it that you want your child to do? If your child is running around and you don't want him to then don't say "Stop running!". Tell him what you want him to do instead, such as "Please walk!"
Take the negative words like 'don't', 'stop', 'no' and 'not' out and give them a rest. Reserve them for when you really need to use them in urgent situations. For every day usage, phrase your instructions positively.
Today's challenge action is to change the way you give instructions. Tell your child what you want him or her to do (and not what you don't want him or her to do).
When you have done this then come and join me on my private Facebook group 'Better Parenting Challenge' where we can have a group discussion on today's action or anything about parenting.
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