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A toddler saying no is learning about boundaries and acquiring the skill of assertiveness, experts say. It is ironic that when toddlers say no, grown-ups get annoyed, yet adults need to be reminded to learn to say no. During the development stage, when toddlers learn to say no, this should be used as a teaching moment for setting boundaries.
Toddlers Who Say "No" Learn About Power
It is not that your toddler is willingly defiant, but that he learns that in a place where little ones are powerless, saying "no" can be so powerful. When they say no, they gain self-confidence, and they can use this power to their advantage when they see it brings desirable results.