The last thing a negative behavior needs is constant attention. Backchat Few things set parents off as quickly as having their preschool child talk back to them. Parents wait years to be in charge of their own lives. When parents spend time teaching their children the fine art of negotiation, problem solving and decision making, they are much less likely to witness this type of open defiance. This verbal pushing is a preschool way of showing independence from parents.
Direct commands are usually grounds for confrontation.
I could start lunch while you put away the toys. No, I can't. There are too many. Let's figure out how else we could make lunch and pick these up. As always, the key is to model this type of behavior and let your child have the last word.