The following serve to illustrate Dr. Ginott's communications approach.

• Never deny or ignore a child's feelings.
• Only the behavior is treated as unacceptable, never the child.
• Depersonalize negative interactions by mentioning only the problem. "I see a messy room."
• Attach rules to things, e.g., "Little sisters are not for hitting."
• Dependence breeds hostility. Let children do for themselves what they can.
• Children need to learn to choose, but within the safety of limits. "Would you like to wear this blue shirt or this red one?"
• Limit criticism to a specific event - don't say "never", "always", as in: "You never listen," "You always manage to spill things", etc.
• Refrain from using words that you would not want the child to repeat.
• Ignore irrelevant behavior

With blocks Boris would spell out words for William. At 8 months William learned how feed himself; at 18 months he was reading the New York Times and knew how to spell many English words. It was believed that Boris pushed his son incessantly, but nothing was farther from the truth. [...] Sarah Sidis put the method in writing:

• Avoid punishment in all ways possible - it is the first cause of fear.
• Try not to say "Don't." Instead, explain why what you say is so.
• Awaken curiosity - it is the key to learning.
• Never fail to answer and never put off your child's questions.
• Never force your child to learn nor judge his ability to learn by adult standards.
• Implant ideas at bedtime, just before sleep. Suggestions made then will make a solid impression.
• Never lie to your child or use evasions.
• Refrain from showing him off.

It has been written that Boris 'laid down a course of study for him in infancy.' Nothing could be sillier. We tried to cultivate his curiosity on all subjects, and when he asked to answer fully, and to lead him to a greater curiosity so that he would go and find out for himself. But we never tried to push him an inch along any mental path in which he was not interested.