WAYS TO ENCOURAGE, NOT DISCOURAGE - PRESCHOOLERS

1) Instead of “don’t pour that milk, you’ll just make a mess” - try - “I know you can do it, this pitcher is just your size” (and, of course, make sure that the pitcher is, and light enough to list. That is a form of empathy and knowledge of child development.

2) Acknowledge feelings first - “I can see you are really excited” - then ‘Show me how you can do it’.

3) Offer a cue without shame - “What do we need to do with the toys, before we can read together?”

4) Instead of saying: “You are too little and I will do it for you” - invite co-operation, and offer a choice “ I could use some help - would you like to help me with….or…..?”

5) Make it fun! “Here’s a timer. Why don’t you see how many toys you can pick up before it rings?”

6) Offer limited choices: “Do you want to put your boots away first or hang up your coat?”

7) It’s always a good idea to get down to the child’s level, maybe sitting on the floor, look in their eyes and ask for exactly what you want in age appropriate language. You might then check that the direction is received - ie get them to repeat

8) Try a curiosity question: “where does this doll go?”

9) Try to work on the relationship too: “ How can I help you clean up, and what will you do to clean up?”

10) Try an if and then statement: “As soon as……is done, we can get to……”