Using Kind Words

Please, thank you, hello, good bye 👋
These are words I teach starting at a young age with sign language. If your toddler/preschooler isn’t ready to say hello, acknowledge their reticence. However, explain that “we always use kind words, and if we aren’t ready to say hello, that might mean we are tired and need to take a break, which is okay.” They don’t need to interact with the person or run off playing with other kids, but it is important to be polite. For younger kids, who aren’t as verbal, a high five or fist 👊 bump will suffice.