Understanding 'No'
How many times do toddlers hear 'no' daily?
About 400 times
When is it appropriate to say 'no'?
To ensure safety
What are affirmative responses?
Positive statements that validate children’s actions
What happens when 'no' is overused?
Children may feel unable to make decisions
What is one tip for using affirmative responses?
Be specific about what the child did well
Why does 'no' lose its power when overused?
Children start to tune it out
How does 'no' help with boundaries?
It teaches social norms and expectations
What do affirmative responses focus on?
What children can do
How do strong-willed children react to 'no'?
They may take it as a challenge
Why is voice tone important?
It affects how the message is received
What can frequent 'no' make children feel?
The world is a scary place
How does 'no' support self-regulation?
Helps manage impulses and delayed gratification
When should affirmative responses be used?
To encourage effort and validate feelings
What does frequent 'no' teach about exploration?
That new things are off limits
What should praise recognize?
Effort, not just outcomes
Should 'no' be avoided completely?
No, it has a time and place
What approach should caregivers use?
Authoritative approach
What tone should be used with affirmative responses?
Warm and supportive
What is a consequence of negative responses?
Loss of trust and emotional safety
What does modeling positivity teach?
Children learn by example
What age should children be introduced to 'no'?
about 2 years old
What should follow the word 'no'?
Reasoning and emotional support
What should educators model?
Positivity
What is a better alternative to constant 'no'?
Redirecting with positive language
What is a good replacement for 'no'?
Offering choices or redirection