Is there an effective way to respond to whining?

When my daughter used to whine, I would say, “Oh gosh, it sounds like maybe you want something, but it hurts my ears when you talk in that voice! Could you try again?” This relies on a disciplinary technique called induction, which involves directly linking kids’ challenge behavior with the effect that behavior has on others. When kids understand why a behavior is disliked and how it harms others, they are more likely to stop doing it – and they develop stronger perspective- taking skills, which help them become more compassionate and generous in general.