Words That Help Children Grow

Young children need verbal direction and will often seek help from adults. The language we use in giving them the help they need can either lead to new behavior and new learning, or can limit their understanding and inhibit their willingness to try new things.

Here are a few examples of "Growing Words"
and "Restrictive Words." It takes practice to make the "Growing Words" our natural, first response, but the rewards are an improved relationship with your child and a child that is interested in, eager about, and willing to learn.

Say: "Use two hands when you climb."
Instead of: "Hold on or you will fall."

Say: "Tell me about your picture."
Instead of: "What is it?"

Say: "Use your shovel for digging."
Instead of: "Don't swing your shovel around this way."

Say: "An apron will protect your clothes, can you get it on yourself?"
Instead of: "Don't get paint on your clothes."

Say: "Scissors stay on the table so people don't get hurt and so we can always find them."
Instead of: "Don't run with the scissors."

Say: "Oops, the juice got spilled. Here's the sponge to wipe it up."
Instead of: "Don't spill the juice...Here, I'll do that."

Say: "Hold on tight with your hands and feet."
Instead of: "If you wiggle around on that slide you will fall off."

Say: "Your feet belong on the ground."
Instead of: "Get of that chair."

Say: "Please walk."
Instead of: "Stop running."

The "Say" list gives children a positive response or suggestion. The "Instead of" list gives children a negative response without a positive solution.

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