The ADHD Smarter Parenting‘s Podcast
Kids & Family:Parenting
The importance of Following Instructions can not be stressed enough. The ability to Follow Instructions is something that every person needs to know how to do if they want to be successful in life.
The behavior skill of Following Instructions found on SmarterParenting.com shows parents and children how to be successful in following instructions they receive.
When parents teach Following Instructions they need to be aware of their expectations. When expectations aren't matched to our child's ability, it leads to frustration for all.
Our expectations should be different for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old. Meeting them at their ability level sets them up for greater success.
The four steps of Following Instructions are:
First, get the child's attention
Second, give a clear, detailed, descriptive instruction
Third, the child says, "Okay" and immediately does it
Fourth, child returns and reports when the task is finished
Four simple steps. There is excellent power if learning how to do them.
When learning the skill of Following Instructions, we recommend doing the following.
First, incorporate Role-plays and reverse Role-plays. Role-plays allow your child to get a sense of what it is you're asking them to do by having them giving and following instructions. Role-plays are what make any skill successful as it's in the practicing that children understand and learn the skill.
Second, break down your expectations into clear instructions. If you want your child to clean their room, break it down into all the tasks you want accomplished. The more detailed you're able to be in your instructions, the better your child can accomplish the task. If you want your child to pick up their dirty clothes, put them in their hamper, and bring their hamper to the laundry room, that's what you need to tell them to do. If you tell them, "pick up your clothes," don't be surprised if that's all they do even though your expectations were for them to bring it to the laundry room.
Third, praise them when they do it. Praise is a great motivator and will encourage them to continue doing the task.
Every child can find success with Following Instructions!
Watch the behavior skill video on SmarterParenting.com to see how the behavior skill works. https://www.smarterparenting.com/lesson/view/following-instructions/
For full podcast transcript and show notes visit: https://www.smarterparenting.com/adhd-parenting-podcast/
Join the Smarter Parenting Club. https://www.smarterparenting.com/adhd-parenting-podcast/
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Ep #131: Creating a safe place for kids to talk about hard topics
Ep #130: This is not what I signed up for | When ADHD symptoms aren't textbook
Ep #129: Why you're seeing increased negative behaviors
Ep #128: Neurodiversity and helping kids who learn differently
Ep #127: When you love your child but don't always like your child
Ep #126: Why kids see time differently
Ep #125: The skills are solutions
Ep #124: The difference between coaching and therapy
Ep #123: How to talk to your kids about racism and other difficult topics
Ep #122: Special education and the law with Catherine Michael
Ep #121: It's okay not to be okay
Ep #120: Coping with pandemic exhaustion and changing needs
Ep #119: Creating normalcy when things feel uncertain
Bonus episode: In difficult times, seek out the helpers
Ep #118: When a child's negative behavior affects the whole family
Ep #117: I am not the parent I thought I would be
Ep #116: Using Effective Communication to build deeper connections
Ep #115: Working with organizations that help victims of human trafficking
Ep #114: Helping kids focus and stay on task
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