What to say to your children so they can trust you
What we say to our children plays a big role in how they interpret emotions and circumstances, and impacts their reactions to them. Here are a few things parents can do to make a difference:
Use statements that encourage learning
Telling a child that they have achieved a goal may give the impression that there is nothing new left to learn. However, including a ‘what next’ will keep children engaged and excited to learn.- Power of Yet!
Using the word ‘yet’ makes them feel you believe in them and creates a pathway into the future. You are creating opportunity for them to overcome. For example, “I couldn’t do it”, “Yet you tried” - Supporting children with the process
When children are stuck or faced with a problem, sit down and discuss what else can we do, or what solutions can we find.Say – I like the way you tried all kinds of strategies on that math problem until you finally got it
Don’t say – Wow, you did great on that math problem – you’re smartSay – It was a long, hard assignment, but you stuck to it and got it done. That’s great!
Don’t say – See, I told you that would be easy – you’re smart!