Positive v’s negative comments

Good communication skills begin in childhood and are continually developing.

The way we speak and communicate influences the way a child does.

We are providing the tools and skills for a child.

Therefore it is important to communicate well and in a positive way.

The more positively we address a situation influences the overall outcome. Positive generally feeds positive and negative generally results in negative.

By simply changing some of our words and the way we say something goes a long way to changing or altering that situation.

Ideally, we would try to limit the words such as no, naughty, bad, etc.

We can use a shopping trip to demonstrate the way we can say something more positively.

Talk to the child and explain what you want by using positive words. Using phrases such as examples below can impact and change a situation as well as a child’s self esteem.

• Keep the oranges in the bin.
• Hold the carton with both hands.
• You may ask me any questions you want, but please say it with respect/nicely.
• I bet you could place the bread gently into the basket.
• Maybe we can have a special treat at home

Using a more negative tone and approach often results in a child’s poo self esteem and the inability to foster or nurture a relationship or learning opportunity.

• Don’t throw the oranges on the floor.
• Don’t drop that carton of eggs.
• Don’t you talk to me in that tone of voice.
• Stop hitting.
• Don’t squeeze the bread.
• Don’t ask for everything you see.