Learning to follow directions
Learning to follow directions
I have a 3.5-year-old who won’t listen to anything. We both just end up getting upset. I'm concerned that she will face problems in preschool if she won’t start following directions.
This is normal at this age and I think in most families across Australia. Let’s try and set you up for success for gaining and sustaining attention so your requests are effective and your daughter learns to follow directions.
Effective Requests
Why?
It is important to give effective requests so that children are clear about what they have to do. If a request is given well it will increase the likelihood of the child following it. Giving an effective request also avoids the adult feeling frustrated by the child not complying with a vague request.
What?
Effective requests are those that use simple language and make it clear to the child what they need to do. When appropriate, gestures and gentle physical guidance can be used to help the child understand exactly what is required. Clear instructions state the instruction in a positive way, so the child knows what to do rather than not what to do.
How?
- Get close (arm’s length as a guide)
- Say the child’s name to make sure they have their attention
- Are brief and specific about what action they want the child to do
- Are firm and unemotional so the child focuses on the content of what they are saying rather than on the tone
- Wait for the child’s response (approx. 5 seconds)
- Watch and stay with the child until they follow the instruction
- Uses gestures to reinforce what they want the child to do
- If appropriate uses gentle physical guidance to help direct the child
- Give praise when they do comply
- Avoid giving a choice, when the child does not have a choice
Other questions about this topic
Is time-out okay for kids?
I’ve always understood that time-out was a reasonable way to deal with behaviour issues. Now I’m seeing some articles suggesting that time-out has had its day. Is time-out OK and if not, what’s the alternative?
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When should you start reading to your child and for how long? My baby was born 6 weeks ago and I’ve started reading to him but my family thinks it’s crazy.
Help! My child is biting other children
I’m so embarrassed but my child care provider called me in to say my two-year-old has been biting other children. I hate to think what the other parents must be thinking. What do I do?
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My toddler isn’t happy about the arrival of our second child. How do I prepare my child for the birth a new baby?
4-yr-old throwing tantrums
I have a four year old daughter, and the tantrums are worse now than they were in the ‘terrible twos’. She seems to fluctuate from happiness to meltdown so quickly and sometimes it seems that no amount of effort from us helps. Is this normal? I thought she’d be growing out of this by now.