Language Matters
Have you noticed how heartwarming it is when you make a mistake, acknowledge it, and the other person makes you feel safe?
Self-esteem can help a child transit to adulthood and navigate smoothly in the demanding and ever-changing world, despite the challenges they might encounter throughout their journey. Good communication involves listening and talking in ways that make children feel important and valued!
Words of encouragement for children can make an enormous difference to their outlook. Positive relationships are the foundation of your child’s development – they can empower, encourage and instil a sense of self-worth.
Using positive language can help reduce conflict, improve communication and regulate your child’s big emotions.
Your toddler’s brain hasn’t yet formed the areas that help manage emotions, and they don’t really know how to express themselves, which makes them do that through their bodies – hello, tantrums and meltdowns!
Fostering Independence & Self-Confidence
The way that parents and caregivers respond to children, especially in those tantrum moments, will help them develop lifelong skills in emotional regulation. As a result, your child will feel more encouraged and independent, and you will also be happy with their better overall cooperation!
When you normalise seeking collaboration over compliance, you instil trust and self-confidence rather than people-pleasing traits.
Negative language can lead to:
- a child that learns to hide mistakes from their parents and whose instinct is to hide their feelings and problems from loved ones.
- an adult who pushes their own needs down!
The Positive Language Formula
Empathise:
- Make them feel seen heard
- Acknowledge their feelings
- Set healthy boundaries
Negative Language Invites Conflict
Saying the word “don’t” very often implies that your child is always doing something wrong. It’s our reactions to unwanted behaviours that shape their self-development.
When you’re struggling to communicate with your child, avoid the “don’ts”! Instead of telling them what not to do, tell them what they “can do” instead. Positive affirmation – in other words, recognition for doing something right – has a far more powerful effect on continuing to do so than being told bluntly to “stop doing that”.
Clear and Specific Feedback
The more you try to be specific and precise, the more your child will understand their emotions, actions and the world around them.
Very often, our phrases are commands with no instructions whatsoever.
Real-life Examples
When communicating with your child next, try using some of these encouraging lines!
- Instead of “Be nice!” try, “I noticed you got water for yourself, and you also got water for your brother. That was a kind thing to do! That’s called being thoughtful and kind. Thank you.”
- Instead of “No! That’s the wrong answer” try, “Are you sure? Let’s double-check.”
- Instead of “You didn’t read the word right!” try, “Good try! Let’s do it again together.”
- Instead of “Stop interrupting!” try, “You have a lot to share. Let’s finish the lesson and then share.”
- Instead of “Don’t touch it!” try, “You’re quite active today, but let’s try to keep our hands to ourselves.”
At Ignite Early Center, we recognise the importance of positive communication for your child’s self-development. We aim to create a happy and positive environment that allows them to feel safe, secure, and supported throughout their early childhood journey.
Here’s what parents and
carers are saying
carers are saying
My children have been attending Ignite since the centre was opened. The educators and management have been very caring and involved in their job. The owner and the director are amazing and attend very promptly my all requests. The educators are very lovely and caring. I strongly recommend this childcare.
I would highly recommend families to enrol their children in this beautiful service. Ignite Early Learning Centre has a very warm and inviting environment for all families and children; the learning rooms are all filled with great resources and programs designed for the children’s developmental needs. I have been in the centre because I have friends who work there and I am very impressed with the pleasing and friendly educators working with the children and the management who are kind, down to earth and willing to help families at all times. It is also amazing to see the children’s daily activities and experiences which will help them grow as confident, responsible and caring children.
We have been going for almost a year now. Much much better than other centres such as the ones next door at bardia. Attitude to customer service, parents requests and concerns are the standouts. Staff are well trained and professional. Thry don’t whinge and have an attitude like many centres. Recommended by a parents who goes there as well. We recommend as well. Centre itself looks great, safe and tidy. The owner is the key. She is active in managing the centre.
Ignite ELC acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians and custodians of the land. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.