Nobody likes to hear the word "no," least of all toddlers. But parents can encourage toddlers to accept the word "no" on the playground or at home by frequently reminding them, praising them when they respect other's boundaries, and modelling this behaviour themselves.
"When a peer has turned down an invite to play, parents should encourage young children to simply say 'OK,' respecting others' boundaries. When helping young children adopt healthy habits and good boundaries, positive reinforcement is key," Desreen N. Dudley, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at Teladoc, a global leader in virtual care, told POPSUGAR. "Parents should pay attention to and praise kids when they see them practicing good boundaries and consent. And what parents' model is probably the most effective way of helping kids establish boundaries. So, parents should keep in mind that they should be giving and receiving informed consent from others in the presence of their children."
Katie Gallagher, director of education for Candor Health Education, a Chicago area non-profit that provides education programs on tough topics for kids, agreed. "Teach young children that 'no' and 'stop' are important words, and when we hear those words, we stop what we are doing right away," Gallagher told POPSUGAR. "Parents need to make sure that they do not 'give in' to a child's begging after being told 'no.' This way, parents model that 'no' and 'stop' are final rather than an invitation for negotiation."