Little Wins Club · Transitions · Ages 2–12
When an instruction gets a no
Progress over perfection.
A refusal may mean “I don’t understand”, “I’m busy” or “this is too hard”. Make the request clear before escalating the demand.
Try it together
- Move close, say their name gently and give one specific instruction.
- Allow a moment to process. Ask which part needs help rather than repeating louder.
- Offer two ways to start within a reasonable boundary. Prioritise safety over winning an argument.
Words you could use
“The blocks need to go in the basket. Shall we start with red ones or big ones?”
One manageable next step
Replace one broad request with one concrete action today.