If you're frustrated in trying to get your kid to listen, take heart: you're not alone. Here are some tips by parenting expert Michele Borba to help get kids to listen.
by Dr. Michele Borba
“Why don’t you listen?” “That’s the fourth time I told you!” “Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”
If you’re frustrated in trying to get your kid to listen, take heart: you’re not alone. Parents magazine polled moms and dads about their toughest discipline challenge, and the hands-down winner was “My kid doesn’t listen to me.
The fact is, learning to give directions so kids will listen takes practice. But improving your kid’s listening skills will benefit every arena of his life-from improving his school performance, relations with friends, job performance, as well as family harmony.
Here are a few solutions adapted from my new book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries to help improve your child’s listening skills:
• Attention first, then talk. If your kid is not listening, first get her attention and make sure she’s looking at you before you speak. “Please, look at me and listen to what I have to say.” Give your request when you’re eyeball to eyeball. You’re more likely to have your child’s full attention.
• Lower your voice and speak slower. Yelling at kids does not work. Nothing turns a kid off faster then yelling, so do the opposite: talk softer not louder. Or try even whispering. It usually catches the kid off guard and he stops to listen.
• Keep it short, sweet and to the point. Tailor your directions to your child’s attention span and cognitive abilities. Make sure you tell your child exactly what you want him to do. “Please make your bed before you go outside.” Or: “You need to get ready to go to school now.”
• Limit your words. Limiting your request to fewer words also helps. Sometimes saying one word does the trick: “Homework!” or “Chores!” Be sure you don’t phrase your request as a question or a suggestion. If you want your child to comply then tell, don’t ask.
• Get active. If time is of the essence or your child needs you to “jump start” him into action, don’t say anything. Just gently grab his hand and take him to where you want him to go.
• Give a little leeway. Wait until you see your child is a little less engaged in the task. Then say your request. Just ensure that your child doesn’t take advantage of the situation. (If he appears legitimately engrossed in an activity, give a time limit: “I need your attention in a minute.”
• Say it once! Make a pledge that you will not repeat yourself. Once you say your request and you’re sure your child understands (you can ask him to repeat what you just said), then expect your child to listen and comply each and every time.
You’ve tried better communication techniques and refined how you give directions. You’ve taken into account your child’s age or attention span and considered whether he has any kind of a hearing loss. Now consider another option: The child is blatantly choosing not to listen to you. This is a matter of noncompliance or disrespect and it’s a whole different behavior makeover.
How do I get my child to listen the first time?
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Start by getting your child’s attention before you give the direction. The article recommends making sure your child is looking at you, then giving one clear request such as, ‘Please make your bed before you go outside.’ When you know they heard and understood, expect follow-through instead of repeating the same instruction over and over.
How can I get kids to listen without yelling?
Lower your voice instead of raising it. The article says yelling usually turns kids off, while a softer voice or even a whisper can catch them off guard and help them stop long enough to listen. Keeping your words short and calm also makes the request easier for your child to process.
What should I say when my child is not listening?
Say less, and be specific. Use simple directions matched to your child’s age and attention span: ‘Homework,’ ‘Chores,’ or ‘You need to get ready for school now.’ The article cautions parents not to phrase a required task as a question or suggestion when they truly need the child to comply.
What if my child still refuses to listen after I give clear directions?
First check the basics: whether you had their attention, whether the request fit their age, and whether hearing or attention-span issues could be involved. If those have been addressed and your child is clearly choosing not to listen, the article treats that as a different issue: noncompliance or disrespect, not just unclear communication.
Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an educational psychologist, TODAY contributor, mom, and award-winning author of 23 books. Her latest book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries (Jossey-Bass). You can also learn more about Dr. Borba on her website: http://www.micheleborba.com or follow her on twitter @micheleborba.
Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an educational psychologist, TODAY contributor, mom, and award-winning author of 23 books. Her latest book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries (Jossey-Bass). You can also learn more about Dr. Borba on her website: http://www.micheleborba.com or follow her on twitter @micheleborba.
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