At a certain period of their toddler-hood, kids develop a special love for saying a big “No!” to whatever their parents want them to do. This often puts parents in a quandary. Here are some ways to get past the “No!” and make the kids say “Yes!”
1. Give them some choices to do within boundaries. If they want a snack, suggest a fruit snack – and ask them whether they want apple or orange. Kids love the independence to make choices, and they will be happy to select one. Too many choices will make them confused and unable to decide.
2. Kids love everything if it is fun and humorous. For example, if they refuse to sit down to eat but laugh and jump around, then try to laugh back and invite them with a funny dialogue such as suggesting them to tell their funny legs to flop their bottoms on the chair. The kids are likely to laugh back and bring their bottoms to sit on the chair. Or, sing a funny song and laugh with the kids till they agree to sit down or what ever you want them to do.
Another amusing way is to ask them a number of questions that they are bound to say “No!” For example, ask them if they want peanut butter with pickles, or a cup of tea with salt. A string of such questions will make them laugh and they will ultimately agree to your proposal.
4. Kids like to do tasks if these are made to look like games. For example, try taking your kids to the bath room as if in an airplane or a car. Kids are likely to accept this game and eventually end up in the bathroom ready for a bath or a potty. If the kids refuse to do brushing sing them a song such as ‘Brush, brush, brush your teeth” and make them see how the adults brush. Or ask them to do something funny such as roaring like a lion while you brush their teeth.
5. If the kids refuse something then tell them that you will do it yourself. This might prick their pride of independence and make them say “No!” Now, they may want to do it themselves. Prohibiting them to do something is also likely to produce the desired result. For example, if you want them to eat apple, tell them “Don’t eat apples.” These techniques are known as reverse psychology.
Posted on May 27th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Behavior, Diet
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