Of course, you’re absolutely correct. Many times young children, in their youth and vitality, will reject our polite requests with their willful, honest answers. This exercise works much better with adults and university students.

Yet we can’t be too tough on our children. We were once young too – and sometimes I was a bit hard to handle. Here’s a favorite story that my mother loves to tell about me as a six year old. She sent me to bed early because I didn’t listen, and soon came in to say goodnight.

Eric: Mom, do you love me when I act bad?
Mom: Of course. I always love you even when you act bad.
Eric: Really?
Mom: Yes.
Eric: Okay, I’ll act bad tomorrow!

Sometimes that unconditional love can have unexpected side effects. Perhaps your daughter Christina’s answers also possessed surplus candor.

Let’s keep sharing and comparing teaching notes … in and out of our classrooms.

But the funny thing is that whenever I use polite requets with my new students they don’t think it is the polite way I ask them to do something and they reject. i.e “Would you like to tell us what you think about the story we have read?” (= Tell us what you think …..) The answer is, “No, I don’t want!” etc. They realize it as a question, as they have a choice to decide and not as an imperative.

If I had time I could give you many funny examples especially related to my daughter’s, Christina’s answers to my polite request when she was younger!

Keep up your wonderful work and the inspiration you spread, Eric.

Evridiki