Say more positives
Understanding the power of language and how we use it.
Learning goals
- Understand the power of our language on children.
- Build the confidence and ability to parent positively.
Discuss positive and negative communication styles
Start with some questions for the group to consider:
- How do we feel when people are friendly and speak to us pleasantly?
- Can we think of times when we’ve been helped to understand something or encouraged to do something that we didn’t think we could do?
- What difference does it make when people are growling and negative instead of being friendly and positive?
- What’s it like for children?
- How can we speak to kids so they’ll feel encouraged?
Show the posters from the Chicago Juvenile Protective Association called ‘Your words have power, use them wisely’.
Ask the group:
- How do these images make you feel?
- How would the child feel?
Watch the Tākai Children’s voices video. Ask:
- What do the kids say about how they like to be spoken to?
Practise positive statements
In pairs, or as a group, practise talking in a positive way. Ask:
- What are some helpful phrases to use?
Give copies of suitable Tākai booklets. Ask:
- What might the people be saying in each of the photos in the booklet?
- Use your imagination and create some quotes for them.
- What’s the effect?
- How would the child feel?
Helpful resources for whānau
