Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Getting Kids to Listen Isn't Hard Any More! (2)


Sat 09 Nov 2019 | 01:09 PM
Yassmine Elsayed

In a previous report, SEE provided mothers with certain tips on how to get their kids to listen and eventually obey instructions but also help them to learn how to protect themselves later on.

In this report, we resume providing you with extra tips, adviced earlier by experts on Baby Center.

-Follow through fast

Make yourseld clear. Explain that you mean what you say and don't make threats, or promises, you won't keep. If you tell your two-year-old, "You can have water with your dinner," don't waver five minutes later and give her juice. Making sure your partner shares your rules and that you both stick to them will help your toddler feel more secure.

 

- Reinforce your message

It helps to back up what you say, especially if you're trying to pull your child away from an absorbing activity.

For example, if you want your kids to sleep, say, "Time for bed!" and then give a visual cue (flicking the light switch on and off), a physical cue (steering them towards the bed)

 

- Give warnings

Give your toddler advance notice when a big change is about to happen. There's no point in giving your toddlers a five-minute warning, as they are too young to understand the concept of time. Instead, when you're getting ready to leave the house say, "When you have finished dressing your doll, put your coat on."

- Give realistic instructions

If you tell your two-year-old kid to put her toys away, they may look around the room and think, "No way!" Instead, give them specific and manageable tasks, such as "Let's put the yellow blocks away." Once they  accomplish the first task, you can make it into a game by saying, "Good. Now let's put the blue blocks away."

- Motivate

Yelling orders may get results, but some children will get upset and no one will enjoy the process. Your toddler will respond better to confident good humour. For example, occasionally use a silly voice or a song to deliver your message. You could sing, "Now it's time to brush your teeth".  Stress the benefits of getting the job done quickly. Say, "Brush your teeth and then we'll read your favourite book", instead of "Brush your teeth or you'll get fillings", or "Brush your teeth NOW!"

 

- Set a good example

Your toddlers will be a better listeners if they see that you are a good listener, too. Try to listen as respectfully as you would to any adult. Look at them when they talk to you, respond politely and let them finish without interrupting.

 

Read the First article here