Description: Teaching kids to listen to you and follow instructions will save you both a lot of frustration! We’ve compiled a list of our top five favorite tips on how to make them hear what you are trying to say. Read more in the full post!
When teaching kids following instructions, the first and most important thing they need to grasp is how to be focused. But it can be pretty hard, especially for unprepared parents. As frustrating as it is, it often isn’t the child’s fault. So how can you teach your kids to consider your opinion the first time you tell them? We’ve compiled our top five tips for teaching kids to listen and understand instructions.
Get Their Attention
There’s no point talking at your child; you have to talk to them. Make sure you have their attention before you even start speaking. Calling their name, making eye contact, or asking them to stop what they are doing should do the trick!
Number the Steps
To make it easier for kids to remember their instructions, number them. For example, first — brush your teeth, second — wash your face, third — put on your pajamas. This is particularly useful in educating how to do chores, and in turn, teaching kids responsibility.
Give Visual Cues
Not only is this more fun, but it also helps them to remember. For example, creating a chore wheel, morning and bedtime routine is great for teaching kids what is expected of him/her.
Keep Explanations Simple While Teaching Kids
If the child understands why they are doing something, they are more likely to remember to do it on their own later on. For example, the baby’s things need to be kept clean. Or suggest to pick up the baby products and put them in the box. This is a great method of teaching kids about safety too!
Give Them Time to Process and Then Check for Understanding
Once you have given them an instruction, let your children process it for a minute and then check whether they got your point by asking them to repeat it back to you. It’s an excellent option to use when exercising the skills, such as teaching kids to tell time, as it shows you if they do or don’t understand.
One final tip: turn following instructions into a game — this way, they practice listening and obedience in an enjoyable way. One common example is ‘Simon Says.’
Which tip are you going to try first? Give these tricks a try next time you are speaking to your child and let us know the results in the comments below!
Author
Amalia Liberman is a wife and a mother of two as well as a novelist and writer, the author has been featured in Women’s Health magazine and also written different articles in lifestyle magazines. Her passions lead her to search out knowledge with all her searching and she doesn’t mind sharing her findings.
