Communication

Siblings may not always choose the best way to deliver messages to one another.  Hurtful words, putdowns, or insulting tones may be used.  One way to teach children about they way they are communicating with each other is to ask them, "Was that message harmful or helpful?"  You can also teach a child who is on the receiving end of a harmful message to use the word "Ouch."  Identifying the type of message they are sending is the first step in making certain that all their messages are helpful.  It is important that children understand the message itself may not be harmful, rather the way in which they were delivering it. 

Discipline With Purpose, Inc., 1997