One of my mindees is 2 and her speech is really good for her age - she strings sentances together, is able to understand and answer questions that I ask her and is able to follow instructions, so I know that her level of understanding is good.
She absolutely refuses to say please or thank you though, which is driving me mad! If she wants a toy and won't say thank you, I have started not letting her have the toy, as I know she is more than capable and I always give her the option...'say thank you to (other child) for giving you the toy' 'if you don't say thank you, you won't be able to have the toy' I give her a few chances usually but she just stands there with a really determined and stubborn expression on her face as if to say....NO! I REFUSE TO SAY THANK YOU
So then I don't let her have the toy which leads to tears, but as I've given her several chances I think she has to live with the consequences of not having the nice toy to play with.
She is like this at meal times too. All the other children say thank you when I put down a sandwich in front of them, or when I give them a snack or a drink, but she refuses to do so. I obviously can't not give her the food, or else she'd end up going all day with nothing to eat.
Any advice????