The word “No,” and emotions – look out for signs your toddler is telling you they’re worried or sad

What to try 

• When your toddler says, “No,” with another word, for example, “No bird,” take a moment to see what emotions this seems to be connected to.  
• They could be trying to tell you they don’t like the bird, or that a bird has flown away and they want it to come back again.  
• Support their language by saying, “Did the bird fly away? I think it has gone to feed the baby birds. I wonder whether it took worms to feed them with?”  
• Providing your toddler with a solution or explanation of why something has gone or changed will give them a greater understanding of the world around them and will also guide them on how to use language to communicate their thoughts and needs. 

Good to know 

When they use the word ‘no,’ your toddler might be telling you that something has changed, and they are upset about it. The word ‘no’ might be linked to your toddler’s emotions. Tuning into how they are feeling might help you to think about how to respond.