Want Toddlers To Be Helpful? Try These 3 Magic Words

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If you're in charge of a toddler for any period of time, you need this strategy now. It can give you the gift of an easier, less stressful day.

This suggestion came from Dr. Becky Bailey PhD., creator of the world-renowned Conscious Discipline program. She shared this at the close of a national early childhood conference with hundreds of participants. The session was so well-attended that every seat was taken, and at least 50 people were sitting on the floor, including me. What she said profoundly affected the way I think about early childhood care and education. I'll never forget it:

To improve the behavior of almost any child (or adult), notice what they do right and call it out, saying:

Like this:

• You came over when I called you, Priya. That was helpful!

• You got on the riding toy by yourself, Howard. That was helpful!

• You smiled at me, Sheldon. That was helpful!

• You remembered the ball, Janine. That was helpful!

• Raj, you waited for Bernadette. That was helpful!

• Stuart, you took turns with Penny. That was helpful!

• You picked up my pencils, Tam. That was helpful.

• You said something nice to Leonard, Beverly. That was helpful!

When you use these types of phrases throughout the day, everyone in the room knows exactly what to do to please you.

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4 Strategies for 0-3

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Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human dev from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison, WI, and is the founder of Early Childhood Rocks, a non-profit org dedicated to creating change through early childhood education.