the power of yet! a little word with a big message!

2 hours ago

10 min read

Monday, September 21, 2026

Thanks so much for the warm “Welcome Back”

following our last post on Friday

when we returned to the blogging world

after our month-long break away!

We loved sharing our Life Lately! All About August! post with you all!

Have we ever happened to mention…

We love our Littles!

Yep! No doubt about it!

And right now, we’re at a pretty special stage in their lives!

Laurie’s oldest Little is off to kindergarten this year and Laura’s oldest is headed to 4K this fall, which means new classrooms, new teachers, new friends, new routines — and lots of new adventures to look forward to. There’s excitement in the air, along with a few butterflies in the tummy… for our Littles (our grandkids), our Middles (their parents) and we Grands!

As grandparents, it’s such a joy to watch our Littles grow and discover the world around them. But this particular stage feels a little different for the two of us. After all, we’ve spent a good part of our lives on the other side of the experience — as long-time kindergarten teachers!

We’ve welcomed those wide-eyed five-year-olds into our classrooms, watched them navigate new challenges, celebrated their successes, and reassured them when something felt just a little too hard. Over the years, we’ve also shared lots of ideas with families to help children approach those challenges with confidence and a willingness to keep trying.

One of Laura’s favorite strategies

has been to use a wonderfully simple little word:

yet.

It’s a little word, but it’s also one with a powerful message!

In today’s post, we’ll take a closer look at The Power of Yet…

What it means, why such a little word can make such a big difference,

and how it can help shift our thinking from “I can’t” to “I can’t… yet.”

We’ll explore how this simple approach encourages Littles at every stage—from those just beginning to watch and learn to those taking their first steps into school and beyond — and why yet can be just as meaningful for us grown-ups, too. Plus, we’ll share easy, everyday ways to practice it, reminding us all that growth is a lifelong journey.

Early in my career, I was blessed to partner with a seasoned teacher

who not only became a cherished mentor

BUT also happened to be one of my own sixth grade teachers!

How special is that!

He was a gentle soul who taught me MANY things over the years,

and while he’s been gone a long time now,

one thing I’ll never forget is this saying he had posted in his classroom:

Together, with another colleague, we taught in a multi-aged setting

with children in first, second and third grade learning together!

We often stressed that

the mistakes we make can, in fact, lead to the greatest learning,

and are actually powerful steps in our journey!

In that same way, later in my career, our school staff was introduced to

The Power of Yet

and I found it made an impact with my kindergarten students

as they were challenged with new experiences most every day.

I also shared it with families at conference time

and many found it just as helpful at home as I did in the classroom!

It’s just one little word, but it can change a message

from one of frustration and disappointment to one of hope and resilience,

from I can’t to I’m still learning OR I’m still figuring things out!

Before we move on though, we can’t forget about our younger Littles who aren't quite ready for kindergarten… yet!

They may not be walking through the school doors themselves, but they're watching closely as their big siblings head off to new adventures.

And, oh, how they want to keep up!

They see those older Littles doing things they can't quite do yet — getting on the school bus, carrying a backpack, learning to read, riding a bike, or simply having the freedom that comes with being a little older — and their response may be a very determined, “I want to do that, too!”

For these Littles, yet can be a gentle reminder that growing up happens one step at a time. You can't do it yet… but you will! And until then, there's plenty of wonderful learning, growing, and discovering to do right where you are.

Now, as Grands… we have the wonderful opportunity

to watch our own Littles begin these journeys!.

We know there will be things that come easily to them

and other things that may take time.

There will be moments of confidence and moments of frustration,

times when they feel successful

and times when they wonder if they’ll ever “get it.”

And that's where yet comes in!

Young children are in such an active season of learning and development. So much of what they encounter is new: tying shoes, learning letters and numbers, making friends, riding a bike, handling big feelings, or doing something an older sibling can already do. The word yet helps them understand that “not being able to do something right now doesn't mean I never will.”

Why The Power of Yet Works for Littles!

✻ The underlying message is: ✻

It changes “I can’t” into “I’m learning”!

That's a powerful gift we can give our Littles early in life! In fact, it’s probably one of the most important things we can give our Littles - understanding that not being able to do something today doesn't mean they won't be able to do it tomorrow. Sometimes, it simply means they can't do it… yet!

So how do we actually put

The Power of Yet into practice with our Littles?

The good news is that we don't need a perfectly planned activity, or even a lot of extra time. Rather, the word yet can become part of the everyday language we use when our Littles are learning something new, feeling frustrated, comparing themselves to someone else, or simply wishing they could do something they're not quite ready to do. As an added bonus, those of us who are Grands have countless little opportunities to remind the Littles in our lives that learning takes time, mistakes are part of the process, and “I can't” doesn't have to be the end of the story.

Everyday Ways to Reinforce The Power of Yet!

✻ Catch & Add!

When your Little says "I can't tie my shoes" or "I'm bad at this," gently prompt them to finish with "...yet!" Use this same strategy when your younger Little compares themselves to older children. If you do this consistently, it becomes part of the language your Littles hear, over and over again!

✻. Praise the Process!

Instead of focusing only on whether they succeeded, notice the process: “You kept trying even when that was tricky!” OR “I noticed you tried a different way.” This reinforces the idea that learning happens through effort and persistence.

✻ Notice Little Victories!

When something that was once difficult becomes easier, point it out: “Remember when you couldn't zip your coat by yourself? Look at you now!” Those moments help Littles recognize their own growth.

Laurie’s Little P was so excited to start swimming and soccer this past summer…

Just like her BIG sister!

. She kept saying for two weeks “Are you coming to watch me Grammy?”

because she remembered that we’d sit and watch Little D before her!

So sweet!

She’s been waiting for that same recognition as her big sis

and the time has finally come!

Fun Ways to Practice The Power of Yet!

And because we're talking about Littles, we can't resist adding a little play to the mix! After all, young children learn best when they're having fun and actively involved. So why not turn The Power of Yet into a game OR share a story?

Activities to Try!

These 3 simple activities can help Littles experience the idea that learning takes time, mistakes are okay, and something that feels impossible today might become something they can do tomorrow. And the best part? The Grands can play along, too!

#1 - The “Not Yet” Game!

This could become your simplest and most memorable activity and could be played in person or over FaceTime! It’s a great game to play at the table after dinner, too!

Take turns naming something you can't do yet. For younger Littles who aren’t sure how to play, you might suggest:

“I can't whistle yet.”
“I can't ride a two-wheel bike yet.”
“I can't read chapter books yet.”

Then everyone responds together: “YET!”

For older Littles, ask: “What is something you couldn't do a year ago that you can do now?” This helps them recognize their own growth.

#2 - The “I Can Now!” Jar!

Whenever someone learns something new, write it on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Every so often, pull out the slips and celebrate how much everyone has learned. Make up a cheer that you all can do together in honor of this newly acquired skill!

#3 - The “Yet” Balloon!

Here's a cute physical activity for younger Littles. Blow up a balloon and explain that yet means we don't give up when something is hard. Toss the balloon back and forth. Every time someone catches it, they have to say something they are learning by completing this phrase:

“I can't ______ yet!”

For very young Littles, you can supply the sentence and let them fill in the activity.

And a BONUS Idea - The Grand Perspective!

Each Grand shares something they can't do yet.

Some ideas… :

“I can't speak Spanish yet.”

“I can't play the piano yet.”

“I don't know how to use that new technology yet!”

Then let the Littles contribute their own.

This activity sends a wonderful message…

Learning doesn't stop when you grow up!

A Special Story to Share with Littles!

Next month, we look forward to resuming our series, Our Monthly Story Time with the Grands!. After all, you know how much we LOVE sharing books with our Littles! So, in place of September’s entry, we’ve got a special story to share, surprisingly titled, The Power of Yet! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.

While there are other picture books that cover this topic (and even ones that share the same title or some variation of it), this is our favorite! In fact, Laura recently gifted a copy to Laurie to share with her Littles!

This charming picture book follows a little piglet who encounters everyday frustrations, like perfectly flipping a pancake or playing the violin. Every time he screams "I can't do it!", he learns to pause and add, "Can't do it, yet." Young Littles easily connect to the story and the simple, concrete and highly relatable examples shared throughout the book..

FULL DISCLOSURE - We have to admit that our toddler and preschool Littles initially found the storyline a bit difficult to follow. However, by the second or third read through, they were reading the book to us!

Laurie’s almost 3-year-old LIttle P, “reading” the book to her Grammy,

saying slowly and with expression at each page, “Not yet!”

Of course, she also asked, “How long is yet, Grammy?”

For anyone who might be interested, here’s a Youtube video of the story!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-xtoECDf2w

As we started thinking about today’s little word, we realized something else: The word yet isn't just a powerful message for our Littles. It might be a pretty impactful message for us Grands, too!

We Grands — and most grown-ups in general — face plenty of moments when we find ourselves thinking, I can't do this. I don't know how. I'm just not very good at that. Maybe we're learning something new, trying to navigate a change, stepping outside our comfort zone, or simply wishing we were a little further along than we are. What if we looked at things differently and added that little word yet to our daily vocabulary? I can't do this… yet. I don't know how… yet. I'm not comfortable with this… yet. Suddenly, we're giving ourselves the same grace and encouragement we want to give our Littles… And, when we let our Littles hear us say these words, they learn that grown-ups don’t know everything either - and that’s okay! What a powerful gift that we can share with those we love!

We're still learning, we're still growing,

and our story isn't finished… yet!

Perhaps the word “yet” is a little word

that deserves a place in every generation!

Do you have any insights to add to this discussion?

If so, we’d love to hear more!

Please share your thoughts in the comments section at the end of this post!

Of course, you can also find our latest ideas on Instagram and Facebook

where we post regularly, too!

We invite you to follow us there!

We’ll be back on Friday with our next post…

it’s a yummy fall one!

Please come back and join us then!

And, don’t forget, you can always sign up to subscribe to our blog!

That way, you won’t ever miss out!

As Grands — and former kindergarten teachers —

we’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand

just how much growing, learning and discovering happens during these early years.

Now, we get to watch our own Littles begin

new adventures, face new challenges, celebrate new successes

and, every now and then, wonder if they can really do something

that feels just a little too hard.

When those moments come,

we hope they’ll hear a gentle voice reminding them,

“You may not be able to do it yet.”

Because yet doesn't promise that everything will be easy. It doesn't mean we won't struggle, make mistakes or need to try again. What it does remind us is that where we are today doesn't have to be where we stay. There is always room to learn, grow, practice and discover what might be possible.

And perhaps that's the real gift of the word, yet.. It's a little word that gives us permission to be learners — whether we're four, five, fifty or seventy-five! It encourages our Littles to keep trying, and it reminds us Grands to give ourselves that same grace.