5 Empowering Ways to Get Your Kids to Listen (Parenting Tips)

Hi, my name is Ms. Jade and I am a teacher here at the Little Dreamers Nursery. Is listening
something that your child struggles with? Well today I’m here to give you some top tips on
how to get your child to listen a bit more effectively. Be sure to hit the subscribe button below
so that you don’t miss out on future videos from Edarabia.

1. Attention first, get on their level
My first tip is to make sure that you connect with your child prior to asking them a question or giving them a command. To do this its best to get down on their level, make eye contact or
give them a gentle touch on their body. You might want to start by commenting on
something that they are doing (for example- “wow, I like what you’re doing with the blocks,
what did you build?”) then, allow your child to respond before making your request, this way
your child will be much more likely to co-operate.

2. Use fewer words- do and not don’t
Try to keep your interactions on the positive side, using more do’s instead of dont’s.
Negative commands such as “no” and “don’t” can sometimes confuse children as they are
required to then process multiple things instead of one (what should I not be doing? And
what shall I do instead?) So, instead of telling your child “Don’t throw the toys all over the
floor” you could say “Please keep the toys inside the basket”. This way they only have to
listen, process and respond to one thing, therefore your child will be more likely to follow
through with the command.

3. Give them a choice
If your ever stuck in a stand-off with your child and they may be being very persistent about
a particular matter. This next tactic can work wonders in this type of scenario and it’s as
simple as offering your child a choice. For example, “which shoe do you want to put on first?
This one or this one? This allows your child to think that they are the one in control. Children
of all ages have a hard-wired need for power.  When children don’t have opportunities to
exert their power in positive ways such as choosing what clothes to wear or picking what
game to play they tend to exert their power in negative ways, this is where you will see the
challenging behavior.

4. Engage co-operation- say thank you beforehand
All people (children through to adults) thrive from being managed in a positive way. By
saying thank you to your child before you give your instruction your child will understand that
you trust them to follow through with the direction that you are giving, increasing the
likelihood of them actually doing it. So try saying “thank you for cleaning up your toys when
you have finished with them, it makes me so happy”. Try it- it really works!

5. Routine, Routine, Routine
Lastly, as we all know and understand a solid routine is imperative and also ensures that
children are naturally conditioned to what is about to happen. When a child is settled into a
routine they are already expecting that you are about to ask them to tidy up or brush their
teeth or go to bed (especially if you give a warning a few minutes before), whilst this might not work all the time having a routine will help to minimize the likelihood of your child ‘not
listening’ as such, as they are already aware of what’s about to come.

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