Some kids ask a question when they already know the answer. How should you respond?
When a child constantly seeks reassurance, don’t give it! The more you give it, the more the child will need it, because you have accidentally reinforced the anxious questioning. What the child really needs is to find, and trust, the answer in her own head.
When you reflect her question back to her WITHOUT answering it, the child will find her own inner voice. For instance, suppose the reassurance-seeking child asks “We’re having spaghetti, right?” when you’ve clearly told her that tonight’s dinner is spaghetti. You answer, “You know the answer.” The child will then say, “We’re having spaghetti.” You can then reinforce her process by saying, “That’s right.” Keep this up indefinitely to help cure reassurance-seeking and the anxiety that fuels it.
