Home | Family | Parenting | Infants And Toddlers

Suggestions To Get Toddlers To Pay Attention

By:


Read More About Infants and Toddlers

Toddlers are busy little people. Focusing on a parent for even a minute can be hard for them. But in an emergency situation, not listening is not an option.
The following tips can help you and your child establish good listening habits.
Use a keyword or phrase - Use a consistent signal that tells your child it's time to listen. Make it generic and make sure everyone in the household uses the same word. Make it fun! Try 'listen up' or 'yoo-hoo' or even a sound, like 'Bing!' Pretty soon they will use it on you, so get ready to start listening right back!
Eye contact - If you can get them to look you in the eye, a toddler is more likely to hear what you are saying. Make it easy on them: get down to their level and point their head in your direction. Soon your keyword will make them do this automatically.
Yes, Yes, Yes - not No, No, No. A parent's job is to set boundaries and keep their kids safe, and that means a lot of No's. To make listening more fun, something they want to do, make sure what they hear is positive. Try, 'Bing! Thank you for putting away your toys! Good boy!' or 'Bing! Good girl! You ate all your lunch!'
Turn it off - If you want your child to hear you, make it easier for them by cutting out distractions. Turn off the TV, stereo, and electronic toys. You will instantly become the most interesting thing in the room. If you are out and about, try moving to a quiet spot, like a bathroom.
Quiet down - Sometimes when your child is ignoring you, your first instinct is to yell. Unfortunately, this doesn't work very well, plus it teaches your child that yelling is a good way to get attention. Instead, try using a quieter voice. If they ask you to repeat yourself, repeat it even quieter. Use your child's curious nature to lure them into listening.
Take a break - Before you talk to your child to take a few deep breaths, and encourage them to do the same. Even an 18 month old can do this. Raise their arms above their head and take a deep breath in, then lower them and breathe out. It's surprising how quickly they will imitate your breathing. They will focus all their attention on you while doing this. Then you can jump in with your catch phrase and start talking.
Patience, patience, patience. It's so hard to teach, and so hard to learn, but all parents know that patience is the key to raising kids.
Listening is so important, but is also one of the most frustrating things to teach toddlers. Practice with the day-to-day stuff so that in an emergency, your child will have the skills to pay attention when it really counts.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The mind of a toddler is like a sponge in those early years, soaking up an abundance of information and knowledge that once many years ago was not thought possible. They say that any toddler activity is good and therefore a toddler lesson plan must be beneficial. For all the information you'll need to keep yours busy, please visit our website.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Infants and Toddlers Articles Via RSS!

counter easy hit

Powered by Article Dashboard