Читать книгу Yes, Please. Thanks!: Teaching Children of All Ages Manners, Respect and Social Skills for Life - Penny Palmano - Страница 16

From as young as a year old, your child can begin to learn the meaning of the word ‘No’. Adopt a low, firm tone and deliver a short sharp ‘No’, so that they can recognize disapproval immediately and do not smile. There’s no point saying ‘No’ in exactly the same sweet tone that you would say ‘Hello darling’ with a beaming smile on your face. Equally, don’t say ‘No’ in a firm voice and then immediately give your child hugs and cuddles as it is mixing messages. Even young children will come to recognize when parents are in ‘no mood for messing with’ by their voice and body language.

If, for instance, your daughter is at the stage of moving around holding on to the furniture and she grabs an ornament you would rather she did not touch, you simply say, ‘No’ in a firm voice, remove the ornament from her and move her to a different part of the room. Give your daughter a toy or something else to distract her that she can look at and examine. Many children will immediately return to the ornament and look for your reaction. Make sure it is the same. As soon as your child starts showing an interest in something they can play with, praise them and make a fuss of them. At this age they very soon learn when Mummy approves or disapproves. Suddenly your daughter has learnt her first boundary. She knows that she cannot touch the ornament.