Words Matter
The words we use to describe our children and their behaviour have the potential to impact their self-image while also influencing our own thoughts, perspectives and attitudes towards them. By paying attention and choosing kinder words when describing your child’s behaviour, you are positively impacting their self-image. In doing this you are also shifting your own attitudes, which can result in having more positive interactions with them.
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The idea of reframing our thinking requires that we assume our children are doing the best they can given their current developmental stage. It all starts with creating awareness around the words we use to describe them and replacing negative descriptions with more positive labels for their behaviours. For example: “You’re being naughty” can be reworded into, “You are not being safe with your body right now.” Reframing is a subtle and powerful strategy to promote healthier attitudes towards children, while also contributing to the development of their self-esteem.
Take a look at the following examples with negative descriptions used to describe children’s behaviour, followed by the positive reframe.
