Which statement is a positively worded directive?

Which statement is a positively worded directive?

• A. Using your walking feet will keep you safe.
• B. Don’t run.
• C. Keep your hands to yourself.
• D. Be quiet and listen.

Answer: (A)

A positively worded directive tells a child what to do and pairs that action with a beneficial outcome. The statement about using your walking feet is best because it names a concrete, safe action and explains the positive result of that action—staying safe. It guides behavior by offering an affirmative behavior to perform, not just something to avoid. Don’t run is a prohibition, which tells the child what not to do rather than what to do. Keep your hands to yourself sets a boundary but is less about practicing a proactive action and more about avoiding touching. Be quiet and listen is an instruction to perform actions, but it doesn’t tie the behavior to a safety-related outcome as clearly as the walking feet example.

A positively worded directive tells a child what to do and pairs that action with a beneficial outcome. The statement about using your walking feet is best because it names a concrete, safe action and explains the positive result of that action—staying safe. It guides behavior by offering an affirmative behavior to perform, not just something to avoid.

Don’t run is a prohibition, which tells the child what not to do rather than what to do. Keep your hands to yourself sets a boundary but is less about practicing a proactive action and more about avoiding touching. Be quiet and listen is an instruction to perform actions, but it doesn’t tie the behavior to a safety-related outcome as clearly as the walking feet example.