Dear ,

There’s a period in almost every young child’s developmental life during which it seems like they resist just about everything we do. When it’s time to change their diaper they throw a fit and try to wiggle away. When meal time rolls around, they cry and refuse to eat their sandwich because it’s cut wrong. Etc.

This stage usually subsides with time and the maturation of their wonderful little brain cells. But…in the meantime…what can we do to ease the battles?

One powerful approach involves asking young kids lots and lots of questions…questions about anything. Yes, when they begin to throw their fits, look at them with an excited smile, and begin asking things like:

What’s your favorite animal?

What do you like to eat the most of?

Do you think you are going to ride your tricycle today?

What did you do at Grandma’s yesterday?

Is the moon up in the sky or in the garage?

If asked in an excited, rapid-fire way…not pausing much for the child’s answer to each…these sorts of questions can get little ones thinking more about the answers than about the fit they are trying to throw. In fact, it’s not unusual for a small child to stop fighting and want to tell you all about something that excites them! For more fun tips on avoiding power-struggles with young children, read our book Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood.

Thanks for reading!
Dr. Charles Fay

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©2009 Charles Fay, Ph.D. All copyright infringement laws apply. Permission granted for photocopy reproduction and forwarding. Please do not alter or modify contents. For more information, call the Love and Logic^® Institute, Inc. at (800) 338-4065.