Overview
- Early childhood lecturers Nicole Downs and Katherine Bussey outlined the advice in a November piece for The Conversation, prompting fresh coverage in Australian and U.S. outlets.
- Parents are advised to get to the child’s level, state that a change is needed, pause, offer simple choices about moving to the table, and watch facial and body cues.
- The authors recommend involving the child without distractions and using correct terms such as vulva, penis and anus to improve clarity and potential safety reporting.
- Supportive clinicians, including NYU Langone’s Yamalis Diaz and psychotherapist Lesley Koeppel, describe the approach as symbolic narration that builds foundations for boundaries.
- Critics label the guidance impractical and tie it to gentle parenting, and the researchers note exceptions for rushed or urgent situations while urging parents to be kind to themselves.