Email: whydokids@yahoo.com
When I say, “Don’t think about a toddler crossing the street alone.” What did you think about? The same concept works for children when you say “Stop running in the house” all they think about is running in the house. Instead of saying “no, don’t, and stop” all day; we can learn to rephrase what we want by using the quotes below.
FOR TEACHING HOW TO PLAY
“Tell them what you want.”
“Learn to wait.”
“You are in control of you.”
“You can walk away.”
“You can take turns.”
“You can choose to ignore.”
“You worry about you.”
“You have a choice.”
“You want a turn with the toy.”
“You wanted ________.”
“Let’s play over here instead.”
“You can say no to your friends.”
“They asked you to stop. I expect you to listen.”
FOR KIDS WHO ARE UPSET
“Tell them how you are feeling.”
“You look upset.”
“You sound upset. What’s the problem?”
“You can be angry. You cannot hit.”
“Biting hurts.”
“What happened?”
“Be proactive instead of reactive.”
“What can you do now?”
“I bet that hurt.”
“Take a deep breath.”
“Touch your middle finger to your thumb.”
“Do you have a problem?”
“Oh no, ask them why.”
“How do you think they are feeling?”
“Do you need space?”
“I believe you.”
“Do you want a hug?”
“Do you want to be alone?”
“Take responsibility for your actions.”
“Oh no, what should we do?”
“They can say whatever they want, it doesn’t make it true.”
“You can have more than one friend.”
“When you stop, they will stop.”
FOR FOLLOWING THE RULES
“That’s not safe.”
“I need you to be safe.”
“Use quiet voices.”
“Toys stay in the toy room.”
“Food stays in the kitchen.”
“You’re acting like you’re finished eating, are you?”
“I feel upset when you ______.”
“You are loved.”
“I trust you.”
“Make good decisions.”
“That hurts my ears.”
“Keep your hands to yourself.”
“Walk around the toys.”
“When you clean up, we can do something fun.”
“Look with your eyes.”
“Where do your shoes belong?”
“Where are you supposed to run?”
“Use walking feet.”
“What did I say?”
FOR LEARNING A NEW SKILL
“What’s the first step?”
“You got this.”
“You can do it.”
“Try again.”
“Laugh at your mistakes.”
“It’s okay to accept help.”
“Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Learning takes time.”
OTHER QUOTES for KIDS
“I can watch you when I am done doing this chore.”
“Will you help me?”
“How can you help?”
“Leave the past in the past.”
“Focus on what’s happening now.”
“Thank you for helping with _______.”
“I made a mistake.”
“I’ve already answered this question. Do you remember what I told you?”
“Let’s work together.”
“Bathroom talk stays in the bathroom.”
GENERAL QUOTES
“You can’t climb a mountain from the middle.”
“You can’t climb a ladder when the rungs are too far apart either.”
“You can’t give what you don’t have.”
“Spend less than you make.”
