Hi im new please help me with k3c165
 

How to negotiate with children according to their age and stage of development, i have read the other thread but still need some help.
Thanks.

Hi and welcome :smile:

As mentioned on the other thread: Children and negotiation .. negotiation is a tricky one. It can rely on cooperation & understanding as well as the ability to offer suggestions and invite ideas that help everyone resolve the event in hand.

There is a fine line between negotiating for reward or compliance, using it and making the situation overly complicated and providing the opportunity for an independent solution.

How to negotiate can involve giving yourself time to assess a situation before entering into it - checking what the needs are: all ages, development, language barriers, sight & hearing, use and knowledge of vocabulary, speech difficulties .. anything that may make negotiating ineffective or less effective if these considerations are not taken into account.

If a 4yr is unwilling to put their coat on for outdoor play - provided with choices and information as what no coat / the weather / outdoor temperature /activity to be done may involve they can make a decision as to what to do.

A 2yr old is possibly unaware that not having a coat might mean that they get cold quicker.. If they still do not want their coat on negotiation may move to seeing if a heavy sweater or fleece would be suitable - gloves/ scarf or other clothing. It may also mean that you both agree to check hands for warmth and make decisions based on that .. or maybe they would prefer to stay indoors.

Some of these decisions/soloutions may need checking against group policies and procedures.

Another example could be 2 Three year olds wanting the same toy car.

An immediate solution may be an identical car ... and negotiation can end before it gets going ..

If not, the Children/child can be provided with alternative suggestions .. would they like a blue car instead, or maybe a yellow one ... one with a hook / tow hitch ..

Do they have a preference you can help with ..

Maybe xx would pass the car over once they have finished with it.
are there any activities they would rather do whilst waiting for the car ?

To help understand the age and stage of development - this negotiation may not be possible with 2 year olds - as they may not yet be familiar enough with colour identification or named features of the car to make a comprehensive decision on what they want.

By adapting what you ask and how you ask it, you change your approach to the situation and individuals involved ... 'would they go with you to find another car in the toy box, or would they like you to bring the box over to look through together...

Sometimes asking for the background of a conflict can help negotiation resolve matters .. but may be a complicated or confrontational route.

Yup it's all fun :dizzy:

Hth a little
xx
:With love:

Thankyou ever so much, that as help me loads.