One important role of parenting is providing your child with effective instructions so they will hear, understand and carry them out accordingly. There are times when a parent has a list of things they would like their child to do, but the instructions get lost in a sea of words. The swirl of words can become just noise to a child, so it’s important to cut down the talk and maybe even the amount of directives, depending on the age of the child.
Some tips to help you get your message across include …
- Try to ensure there are little to no distractions when issuing a command, such as having the TV off.
- Get down to their level, look directly into your child’s eyes and give them a specific instruction, such as “Please take off your shoes”.
- Keep the instruction rationale simple and short.
- Allow a few seconds for your child to process the instruction, then check they understand.
- Give instructions one at a time, particularly if your child has attention challenges.
- Stay calm and patient when issuing an instruction. If you are irritated or are having a bad day, be aware of these feelings – do some deep breathing or go to a quiet place for 10 minutes to regain your self-control and calmness.
It takes a little practice to find how best to communicate with your child, but they will learn to listen more if you give consistent and calm commands without a long explanation.
If you would like to learn more about understanding and supporting your child’s development, please contact us on 9334 0111 or connect@thenortherncentre.org.au to arrange to talk with one of our experienced Family Workers in a confidential setting.