What to Say~

The following phrases, words and replies are common place for anyone who works with young children.  I find myself using them on a near daily basis.  Of course this list is not all inclusive.  Feel free to add any you use in the comment section.

• What? (Usually said to buy some time to formulate a response to the question being asked)
• Maybe (Translation: No)
• Kissing needs to stay in your own mouth. (The nice way of saying, “Please don’t kiss anyone. I don’t want any phone calls from parents of the kids you are kissing at school.)
• You Who? – I am over here. (Typically spoken when it feels like few, if any, five year olds are actually listening to you.)
• Did you _________?
• Let me think about it. (Translation: No)
• We are all waiting for you. (The nice way of saying, Hurry Up!)
• What did I tell you when you asked me this question five minutes ago? (A nice way of letting a five year old you are slightly frustrated with the non-stop asking of the same question though slightly re-worded five different ways with the hope that you will somehow cave and give in.)
• Would you like it if… (insert undesirable behavior that the child perpetrated on another here)
• We are keeping our shoes on in case there is a fire. Can also be issued as a question, “Where are your shoes?”
• Say, “Excuse me.” (This is a prompt for when someone burps, passes gas, knocks someone over, drops something on someone’s foot, etc.)
• Please raise your hand if you have something to say when we are in a group. (Daily, multiple times daily, maybe even thirty times in an hour.)
• I know you want a turn. (Can be used as validation when you have no other response to offer that will sooth the child who is distraught over not having a turn yet.)
• Did you give him/her a turn? (Typically issued to the person who is witholding a turn to the person you said "I know you want a turn" to above.)
• Did you take it? (usually issued when there is a conflict over who gets to use the blue pencil, pink eraser, building block or any other desired item.)
• What would your mom or dad say if I called them and asked if this was true? (This one is usually met with big eyes and a quickly re-defined understanding of the event in question)
• Please get a Kleenex ™ (The nice way of saying, “Stop picking your nose and eating it.”
• Wash your hands, please. (This is said when someone has their hands down their pants – either front or back)