Extend “No” to “No Because…”
Instead of rejection, a child can learn negotiation.
Learning Seeds Engagement Strategies
Challenging Moment: When a child rejects an idea with a firm “NO”, it may be tempting to insist compliance or attempt to persuade the child.
A Strategy to Try: Extend the “No”
Help them learn to expand their “NO" by providing some reason for rejecting the idea. Immediately reply '"No becauuuuuuussssee....'". You can enhance the prolonged speech with a sweeping hand to signal that the child should extend their statement. If the child struggles to fill in the blank you can further support the carrier phrase by saying "No because it's tooooo......". Try not to offer suggestions of reasons. If the child can reply, spend time thanking them for giving a reason even if the reason doesn't seem totally accurate or plausible.
What Happens: The child...
learns to identify and communicate more specifically what they do and do not prefer.
learns to consider reasons for others’ differing ideas and perspectives.
starts to understand negotiation.
