Teaching Your Child to Listen
1.Get your child’s attention.
• Get close. Make eye contact.
• Children are more likely to listen when you are close by.
2. Tell your child what to DO
(instead of what NOT to do).
• Change “don’t” to “do.”
• Say: “Please walk instead of running.”
Instead of: "Don’t run.”
3. Be clear and specific.
• Say: “Put your toys in this basket.”
Instead of: “Be good and clean up.”
• Say: “Put on your jacket and bring your backpack.”
Instead of: “Get ready to go.”
4.Use fewer words.
• Kids tune out when adults ramble on.
• Keep it simple!
“Wash hands before dinner.”“Homework first, then TV.”
5.Don’t back yourself into a corner.
• Try “when” instead of “if.”
• Say: “When you finish your lunch, you can go outside.”
• Instead of: “If you don’t finish your lunch, you can’t go outside.”
6.Use a normal tone of voice.
• The louder you get, the less effective you are.
• When adults yell, children know you’re out of control.
They stop listening.
