Correcting Grammar

[Anonymous]

Do you correct your children's grammar. Personally I don't. I hate being corrected when I talked as a child so I don't ever want to do that to my child. I had an aunt who was extremely annoying always correcting my grammar as a child and then she asked my parents why I'm so quiet and in my head I was thinking because everything I say is wrong so I'll just shut up.

[Anonymous]

Always do it, regardless of how you liked it. There are ways to complement their thoughts without compromising on grammar.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you OP. I never correct. I think it is particularly bad to correct grammar in young kids. They have done studies on this. Correction is not a great way to teach children good habits or behaviors.

The best way to ensure your child becomes an adult with proper grammar is to use proper grammar yourself. You should also make sure that their school demonstrates and teaches proper grammar. If these supports are in place, your child will naturally develop proper grammar without you needing to correct them, and certainly not constantly. Also, your child is more likely to come to you for help with something like reviewing their writing for school or listening to a speech they are giving for a class or activity, and if they ask for your feedback and they have a glaring grammar error, you could correct it. That's different then constantly telling you seven year old, "You mean Larla and I, not me and Larla."

[Anonymous]

As a parent, yes, I always correct my children. At 10 and 11, they rarely need corrections. I correct my 5 year old semi-regularly. That is what parents do: teach. Of course, hearing you speak correct grammar goes a long way too.

I do not correct the children of others, even if related, or adults.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids we're talking about OP? If they truly wilt at the thought of being corrected for a fixable mistake, then you've got some other issues going on in your parenting.

Of course you should correct them.

[Anonymous]

I usually correct them, in a quick way so that they learn.

[Anonymous]

Always. I was an English major and daughter of a trial lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Do you correct your children's grammar. Personally I don't. I hate being corrected when I talked as a child so I don't ever want to do that to my child. I had an aunt who was extremely annoying always correcting my grammar as a child and then she asked my parents why I'm so quiet and in my head I was thinking because everything I say is wrong so I'll just shut up.

You are doing your children a disservice if you don't help them with their grammar. Stop making it all about you and help your kids.

BTW, always use a question mark after a question: Do you correct your children's grammar?

[Anonymous]

I correct it by finding a way to repeat back to them what they said, using the corrected grammar, but in the service of moving the conversation along so the correction isn’t the focus. For example, “I want less potatoes!” “Why do you want fewer potatoes? They’re so delicious!” “He goed to the park today.” “He went to the park today? Which park?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I correct it by finding a way to repeat back to them what they said, using the corrected grammar, but in the service of moving the conversation along so the correction isn’t the focus. For example, “I want less potatoes!” “Why do you want fewer potatoes? They’re so delicious!” “He goed to the park today.” “He went to the park today? Which park?”

This is the way to do this without being overbearing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I correct it by finding a way to repeat back to them what they said, using the corrected grammar, but in the service of moving the conversation along so the correction isn’t the focus. For example, “I want less potatoes!” “Why do you want fewer potatoes? They’re so delicious!” “He goed to the park today.” “He went to the park today? Which park?”

This is the way to do this without being overbearing.

I work in ES in a support role and do this all the time.

I cringe when I hear teachers abuse the English language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always. I was an English major and daughter of a trial lawyer.

I'm the daughter of an editor and my father never corrected my grammar, except when I asked him to proofread my papers. Research shows it doesn't help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always. I was an English major and daughter of a trial lawyer.

I'm the daughter of an editor and my father never corrected my grammar, except when I asked him to proofread my papers. Research shows it doesn't help.

Oh, does it? Lol. Let’s see that research!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I correct it by finding a way to repeat back to them what they said, using the corrected grammar, but in the service of moving the conversation along so the correction isn’t the focus. For example, “I want less potatoes!” “Why do you want fewer potatoes? They’re so delicious!” “He goed to the park today.” “He went to the park today? Which park?”

If you’re scooping up potatoes on the side, less is fine. Are you counting how many pieces of potatoes you’re actually putting in there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always. I was an English major and daughter of a trial lawyer.

I'm the daughter of an editor and my father never corrected my grammar, except when I asked him to proofread my papers. Research shows it doesn't help.

Oh sure. “Research!” I can tell you for a fact it helps