How to get your toddler to listen?

Check out these parenting tips on how to get your toddler to listen

Getting your toddler to listen can be a difficult task. Here are a few tips on how to make your toddler listen:
1. Be clear and concise when speaking to your toddler. They may not understand long and drawn out explanations.
2. Use positive reinforcement when they do something you ask of them. This will let them know that they are doing what you want and will encourage them to continue listening.
3. Be patient when communicating with your toddler. They may not always understand what you want from them right away, but if you keep trying, eventually they will catch on.
how to get your toddler to listen
Sad toddler. Credit: Teach Authority

What do I do if my toddler is refusing to listen?

When it comes to getting your child to listen, there are a few things you can do to increase the likelihood of success. First, make sure that you have their attention before giving them a command. Get down on their level and make eye contact so they know you’re serious. Once you have their attention, give them one simple instruction at a time. If they still don’t comply, try using a gentle physical cue like touching their arm or shoulder. If all else fails, remain calm and consistent with your commands. With a little patience and perseverance, you’ll eventually get your toddler to listen.

1. Tell your toddler what they should do

In order to get your toddler to listen, you need to be clear and concise. Give them specific instructions on what they should do and why it’s important. For example, “Please put your toys away so we can go outside and play.” By being specific, you’ll help your toddler understand what they need to do and why it’s important.
If your toddler doesn’t seem to be listening, try repeating yourself or providing additional explanation. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience and understanding. Remember, toddlers are still learning how to communicate and understand the world around them. With a little time and effort, you’ll be able to get your toddler to listen.

Ensuring that your child listens to you is vital given that verbal communication is the key to successful learning. Here are some tips on how to set up effective communication with a child:

Remain Calm
Make a point of remaining calm and firm at the same time. Use a calm, neutral tone of voice, not shouting to express yourself clearly.

Stay Direct
Direct commands have no effect on a child’s thought process, simply provide simple, clear requests must be achieved. These include, for instance, “Please sit in the chair?” and “Pick up your toys” instead of “Could you please sit down now?” and “Mummy likes it when you pick up your toys?”.

Positve Commands
Give your child a positive command on what to DO instead of what not to do. When possible, avoid the use of no; don’t; stop; quit it. For example, “Keep your feet on the ground” instead of “Stop climbing on the furniture!”

One Command at a time
Children have trouble remembering not only one thing but also several things. Don’t mix your sentences. For instance, “Don’t put the toys in the bin, then wash your hands and then go to the dinner” – Keep it simple and ‘chunked’.

Provide age appropriate commands

Your child should be able to listen and carry out simple commands. Bear in mind that various jobs have multiple steps. Your little one may want you to ‘chunk’ the command down into several components. As an example, command your child to say “Place your clothes in the laundry basket” instead of “Clean your room”.

Give brief statements

By way of instance, We’re going to the store, so put on your coat. A longer explanation is unnecessary and only adds confusion.

Be physically present
Instead of shouting at your child across the room or your house, get directly in front of your child, look him or her in the eyes, and present the command with gestures, such as showing them what you want.

Ask the child to repeat the command
They’ll feel confident that they responded correctly.

Reward compliance
Acknowledge that you have acknowledged the successful completion of a task, either by acknowledging it via praise, attention, and affection, or by immediately asking any questions your child may have about the task themselves.

Make sure you mean it
Never give an order that you do not intend to see carried out to completion. Give guidance or timeouts as needed.

2. Redirect your toddler to a similar but more appropriate activity

If your toddler is acting up, stay calm and try redirecting them to a similar but more appropriate activity. This can help them to release their energy in a positive way and avoid tantrums.
For example, if your toddler is hitting, try directing them to punch a pillow instead. If they are biting, offer them a chew toy. And if they are screaming, suggest they sing instead.
Explain to your toddler why you are suggesting this activity change and be sure to praise them when they do it. With a little patience and guidance, your toddler will soon be back on track.

3. Give your toddler choices

When it comes to toddler tantrums, giving your child choices can be a powerful tool in diffusing the situation. By offering two options, you give your toddler a snse of control while still maintaining the limits you need to set.

 

For example, if your toddler is throwing a tantrum because they want a cookie before dinner, offer them two choices: they can have one cookie now or two cookies after dinner. If they still don’t want to listen, calmly explain that those are the only two choices and walk away.

 

Chances are, your toddler will eventually choose one of the options and calm down. And if they don’t, at least you know you gave them every opportunity to do so.

 

Whatever your choices, ensure that you remain consistent. Consistency is key when it comes to parenting toddlers and children of any age, but it’s especially important when you’re raising a toddler. Children have a tendency to test their boundaries, and toddlers are no exception. Consistency helps children understand what is expected of them, so they can make better decisions.

4. Change your toddler’s physical environment

1. It can be difficult to get your toddler to listen. They are constantly moving and exploring their environment, and sometimes it feels like they just don t hear you. But there are ways to get your toddler s attention and help them focus on what you’re saying.

 

2. One way to do this is to change their physical environment. If you’re in a place where there are a lot of distractions, move to a quieter spot. Or if you’re outdoors, find a spot where there aren’t as many things for them to look at.

 

3. Another way to change their environment is to use props or visuals. If you have something that they can touch or hold while you’re talking, they’re more likely to pay attention. And if you’re using words that they don’t know, show them pictures or gestures so they can understand what you’re saying.

5. Follow through with natural consequences

It can be difficult to get your toddler to listen, but following through with natural consequences can be an effective way to get them to cooperate. Natural consequences are the results of a child’s actions that occur naturally, without any intervention from parents or guardians. For example, if a toddler throws a tantrum and is subsequently ignored by their caregiver, the natural consequence is that they will eventually stop throwing tantrums because they won’t get the attention they’re seeking.

While natural consequences can be effective in getting toddlers to listen and cooperate, it’s important to use them sparingly. If used too frequently or excessively, natural consequences can backfire and cause toddlers to become more resistant to cooperation. When using natural consequences, be sure to give your child plenty of positive reinforcement when they do listen and cooperate.

Steps for Using Natural Consequences

1. Make sure you have your child’s attention first.

2. Determine the natural consequence of your child’s action or behavior.

3. Allow the natural consequence to occur and follow through with it.

4. Be sure that you are not rescuing your child from the consequences of his own actions.

5. Be sure that you are not causing a more serious problem by the way in which you rescue your child.

6. Be aware that there is no way to prevent all consequences for your child’s actions.

7. Recognize that you may feel angry, guilty, and upset yourself.

8. Be aware that your child’s behavior is not a reflection of your parenting skills or ability as a parent.

9. Know that your child’s behavior does not mean that he or she is bad, crazy, or abnormal.

10. Know that your child is no different from other children who have tantrums or bad behavior.

Model Good Listening Skills

It’s no secret that parents have a lot to say to their kids. But, how can you be sure your toddler is listening? By modeling good listening skills! Here are a few tips:

 

1. Make eye contact: Whether you’re talking to your spouse or your child, making eye contact shows that you’re engaged in the conversation.

 

2. Repeat back what you’ve heard: This helps ensure that you’ve understood what the other person has said and lets them know that you were paying attention.

 

3. Ask questions: Asking clarifying questions demonstrates that you want to understand what the other person is saying.

 

4. Don’t interrupt: It can be tempting to jump in when we think we know what someone is going to say, but resist the urge! Let the other person finish speaking before responding.

 

Think like your toddler

Think like your toddler to get them to listen. It may seem impossible, but if you put yourself in their shoes, it’s not that hard to understand why they act the way they do. Once you know what’s going on in their little minds, you can find ways to get them to listen.

 

It’s all about understanding their perspective. For example, when they’re throwing a tantrum, it’s because they’re feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. But if you can empathize with them and show them that you understand how they’re feeling, they’ll be more likely to listen to you.

 

Here are some other tips for thinking like your toddler:

Keep your expectations realistic. They’re still learning and growing, so don’t expect them to be perfect.

Do you want them to be responsible? Have realistic expectations. If they’re not meeting your expectations, talk to them about what you’re seeing and guide them with visual cues why it’s not working for you. Don’t just tell them they’re not doing it right – help them understand what you need from them and how they can improve.

Do you want them to be independent? Help them learn how to do things on their own. Encourage them to try new things and give them the opportunity to make their own decisions.

Do you want them to be a good citizen? Teach them about being a good citizen by setting a good example. Show them how to be respectful of others, obey the law, and to help around the house.

 

Give them choices whenever possible
Give them a choice of two and you will find that they will be more engaged. For example, instead of saying “Please put your shoes on” you can say “Please put your shoes on or we won’t be able to go outside to play with the dogs.”

 

Make sure the choices are good for them
Good choices will make them feel like they are in control and are doing something right. For example, if they want to wear their shorts outside in the rain and you don’t want them to, give them an alternative such as wearing a raincoat over their shorts. If they don’t have a raincoat, tell them they can choose to stay inside until it stops raining or put on one of your coats. Good choices help build a child’s confidence and self-esteem..

Conclusion

In order to get your toddler to listen, you need to be clear, consistent, and firm. You also need to provide choices, use short phrases, and give instructions in a positive manner. Finally, you need to be patient and avoid yelling. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to get your toddler to listen most of the time.

 

Teach Authority
Teach Authority
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