As adults, it’s easy to dismiss the offhand comments and imaginative stories that children tell as ‘nonsense’.

We may say it with good intentions, attempting to divert the child’s attention to more serious issues or to avoid encouraging lies and falsehoods. However, dismissing a child’s words as meaningless and irrelevant can have a negative impact on their mindset, their language acquisition, and their overall emotional well-being.

In this article, we explore the reasons why telling a child ‘don’t say nonsense’ can be damaging, and suggest alternative ways to communicate with and support children in their communicative development.

1. Dismissing children’s language undermines their sense of purpose and power

For children, language is an essential tool for self-expression and communication with their caregivers and peers.

When adults dismiss their words as ‘nonsense’, children may feel that their contributions are not valued, and that they are not taken seriously. This can undermine their confidence and sense of purpose, leading to a reluctance to share their thoughts and emotions in social and educational settings.

In order to support children’s language development, it’s important to listen actively to what they say, and to provide responsive, positive feedback that validates their ideas and encourages them to communicate further.

2. Discouraging imaginative play can hinder creative thinking and problem-solving skills

Children’s language is often linked to their imaginative play, as they use words and expressions to create imaginary scenarios and to negotiate social roles.

When adults dismiss these narratives as ‘nonsense’, children may feel that they are not allowed to be creative or to explore the world through their own lens. This can inhibit their ability to think creatively and to find innovative solutions to problems later in life.

Instead of discouraging imaginative play, adults can encourage children to expand on their stories and to use language to build complex plots and scenarios. This fosters not only their language development but also their creative thinking skills and their self-confidence.

3. Using negative language can create a hostile environment for children

When adults use negative language to dismiss children’s words, such as ‘don’t say nonsense’, they create a hostile environment that can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and sadness.

This type of language can also create a power dynamic in which adults are seen as authoritative and children as submissive or powerless. Rather than using negative language, adults can use positive and constructive feedback to build on children’s words, asking them to clarify their meaning and to expand on their ideas.

This creates a more supportive and collaborative environment that fosters children’s communication skills and emotional well-being.

4. Dismissing children’s words can hinder language acquisition and literacy skills

For children, language acquisition and literacy skills are essential for later success in school and in life.

When adults dismiss their words as ‘nonsense’, children may feel confused about the meanings of words and may struggle to communicate effectively with their peers and caregivers. This can lead to a delay in language development, which in turn can hinder their literacy skills and have a negative impact on their educational achievement.

To support children’s language development, adults can model effective communication strategies and provide them with opportunities to practice their language skills in social and educational settings.

5. Ignoring children’s words can harm their emotional well-being

Finally, dismissing children’s words as ‘nonsense’ can have a negative impact on their emotional well-being, as it can make them feel marginalized and misunderstood.

Children who are not listened to or valued for their contributions may develop low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression, which can have lasting effects on their mental health. To support children’s emotional well-being, adults can create a positive and safe social and educational environment in which children’s voices are valued and heard.

This can include actively listening to their words, praising their efforts and achievements, and providing them with opportunities to connect with peers and adults who share their interests and values.

Conclusion

Children’s words are often dismissed as ‘nonsense’ by well-meaning adults who may not realize the negative impact that such language can have on their language development, emotional well-being, and creative thinking skills.

By actively listening to children’s words, providing them with positive and constructive feedback, and supporting their imaginative play and language acquisition, adults can help them to become confident and articulate communicators who are equipped to succeed in school and in life.