Words can be powerful for children. Some, known as 鈥減ower words,鈥� can even be a guide for kids, reminding them to try their hardest and aim to be the best possible person 鈥� in 黄色app and in life.

Let your child know that he or she can be someone who follows the four power words:

  • Cooperation
  • Compassion
  • Persistence
  • Self-control

At first, it might feel strange to use them and for your child to hear them. But if you work them into your conversations, over time your child will get the message that these words 鈥� and the behaviors they describe 鈥� are important. For example: 鈥淭o finish a project at work today, I had to cooperate with the whole team.鈥� 鈥淲hew! It was hard, but my persistence at cleaning the garage paid off. We now have room to park in there!鈥�

Most important, use these words to point out when your child has done something positive:

  • 鈥淵ou really cooperated with me today by helping to fold the laundry.鈥�
  • 鈥淵ou had so much compassion when you helped your friend who was sad.鈥�
  • 鈥淵ou showed persistence by working hard on your homework until it was done.鈥�
  • 鈥淚 know you were unhappy about not being able to watch more TV. But you showed real self-control by turning it off when I asked.鈥�

Use these words often enough, and they can help your child act in the most positive way possible. Who knows, your child might even start saying them 鈥� and wow the teacher by using them in class!

Print out the list of power words 鈥� and examples of how to use them 鈥� below:

Power words

  1. Cooperation

    What it means: To work well with other people.
    If your child says: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not fair you get to decide how we build the Lego tower. I want to do it my 飞补测!鈥�
    You can say: 鈥淗ow about you and your friend cooperate? You can build this area over here, and he can build that area over there.鈥�

  2. Compassion

    What it means: To care about other people and how they feel.
    If your child says: 鈥淢y sister is such a baby! She always cries whenever she hurts herself.鈥�
    You can say: 鈥淵our sister looks like she鈥檚 really sad. We have compassion for each other in our family. You can show your sister compassion by asking her if she needs help.鈥�

  3. Persistence

    What it means: To keep trying to do something until you succeed.
    If your child says: 鈥淚 give up! I鈥檓 never going to learn to swim. 鈥�
    You can say: 鈥淚鈥檝e seen you have real persistence before. You thought you wouldn鈥檛 learn to ride a bike, but you kept trying, and now you know how. You can do the same with swimming.鈥�

  4. Self-control

    What it means: To behave well and control your behavior, even if you鈥檙e sad or mad.
    If your child says: 鈥淚 hate Roberto! He鈥檚 always taking the ball away from me at recess.鈥�
    You can say: 鈥淚 know you’re really mad at Roberto, but you showed self-control. You didn鈥檛 hit him or yell at him. That can be really difficult to do when you are angry.鈥�