Phrases To Count On

The classroom teaches you that what you say matters.  As in, if you say "follow directions" there will be a kid you does exactly that...  but he'll take 25 minutes to do it and then tell you he did exactly what you asked.  And he would be right.  That is why "follow directions promptly" became a permanent rule for my room.  And why I've started paying careful attention to what I say in front of the kids.  Not only are they listening, they are learning.  Here are a few of my current "go to" phrases that are working well:

1. Do it yourself or Mommy will do it for you.  This one plays off their intense desire to "Do it self!"  And it usually works.  The only trouble is, I now need to add "right away", because Addison waits until I head her direction to jump into action.
2. Do it quickly (or right away, promptly, immediately, etc.) I snap when I say this phrase.  So that sometimes I can just ask them to do something and snap, skipping the verbal command.  It is my hope, that one day soon I can use the snap alone to direct them.  Plus, it's an easy cue for other caretakers to use.  Also, I interchangeably use "quickly", "right away", "fast" or "hurry-scurry"... so that ever so slowly, they will learn that I expect them to react WITH SPEED.  And bonus, they're building vocabulary! 
3. Not now, maybe later.  I got this one from a precious friend...  I ultimately want my kids to be able to use that phrase.  With each other and with other kids.  But for now, I'm using it.  I say that when they ask me for something that can't be done right then.  I also say it for them when they're wanting to switch toys or take turns and the other party isn't agreeable.  What a neat way to take me out of the power seat, give my babies their own voice, give closure to the request, and yet leave the door open for the future.  PERFECT!  How awesome would it be if just 25% of little ones (in the church nursery, in preschool, in school, in daycare) could use that phrase...  Ah, a teacher can dream, right??
4. Make a different choice.  I got to model that phrase the other day when we were pulling into the parking lot at a local park.  The kids were hyped to be there and I was amping them up even more, until I saw the tour bus that was off-loading about 35 elementary kids onto the tiny little playground.  We got to talk alot on the way to another park (across town) about how Mom had to make another choice and why.  Awesome opportunity to create some background experience for them to connect to...  they often bring it up, even now, when I ask them to make a different choice.  That phrase is so much better than silence, "no", or telling them every little thing you want them to do, right?  The child gets a little control.  Over things that they care about (and things that don't really matter one way or the other to me).  And they are learning independence, as I teach a very valuable lesson that they will need their whole lives through.  They always have a choice.  Practicing choice-making in our playroom will help prepare them for the thousands of choices that will come all too quickly.  As the ends of their earth stretch further and further past our baby gates.
5. I love to...  I have always used positive reinforcement.  And I've always tried to be specific.  (Ex:  I like the way you take turns with each other.)  But I am now trying to pepper in this phrase as well.  (Ex:  I love it when you smile.)  Just because I want them to know all the things I love about them.  And that my love free and boundless.  It isn't earned, it just is.  I got the phrase from this blog post and I hope I always use it often...
6. Sometimes we do.... sometimes we don't.  We just have to wait and see.  I've started hearing lots of requests for things I can't control.  Like wanting to see another dump truck after we pass one on the road.  Using this phrase has helped them start to understand that some things are beyond my/our control.  And that a little patience and time are often required to get what we want, though they're certainly not guarantees.  

Just sharing the wealth and documenting the current times.  Feel free to use what you like if it suits your needs...  I'm sure I'll need a whole new set of phrases real soon, these two are changing so fast!