When I was pregnant with Poppy, like many I signed up to Babycentre Uk. I loved the little updates each week whilst pregnant and liked the little monthly updates once she was born too. It was helpful to see she was doing roughly what should be.
When I became pregnant again with Rosie and then Daisy I added them to my profile too. Each month I receive updates on what they should be doing, tips for play ideas and ways to encourage development.
This month I received Rosie's update for three years and four months and here's one of the tips:
Pssst … want to get your preschooler's attention? Try talking to her in a whisper. You'd think speaking louder would be the way to do it, but shouting can frighten a child or, if heard too often, simply be ignored. A whisper, on the other hand, is irresistibly intriguing to a little one. Your child can't help but lean in closer to hear the special words Mum is about to deliver. Preschoolers are also attracted to words like secret, special and magical, all of which suggest that something wonderful or exciting is about to happen.
Intrigued I decide to try it out straight away. I whispered “Rosie” and instead of being ignored like usual she whispered back “yes Mummy?”. I whispered back “come here” and do you know what?….she did, straight away. I was amazed.
I'm definitely going to try this one out again. I never wanted to be one of those parents that shouts all the time and I honestly wasn't with two children. But three is much more chaotic and I have noticed I do shout more often. Not anymore though. I'm going to try whispering first.
Karen x
Asturian Diary
September 30, 2013 at 6:54 am (11 years ago)What a brilliant idea! I shall be trying this out too. I know shouting doesn’t work, it just ends up making me feel bad about myself, so I try not to….not always successfully!! x
would like to be ayummy mummy
September 30, 2013 at 8:55 am (11 years ago)Exactly! Whispering made us both smiled and she listened, so much more effective. I will have to do an update in a few weeks 🙂 x