Toddlers arenât known for being good listeners. And parents arenât known for enjoying having to repeat something a million times. But some people are better at this whole communication thing and theyâve figured out that these changes could help your toddler listen to you. Hey, itâs worth a try, right?
Get active - If you want your toddler to take you seriously, stop hollering from the next room and go to where they are to talk and get down on their level while you do it.
Get quiet - Even yelling at the top of your lungs wonât always make your little one listen, so switch it up and lower your voice instead. Talking quietly and close helps your tot take what youâre saying more seriously. And if you can stay calm and quiet while theyâre in the middle of a meltdown - which isnât easy - it could help them calm down, too.
Keep it positively simple - The less you say, the more theyâll understand. So keep it short and simple. Instead of âYou know youâre not supposed to run in the kitchen,â try âWalk, please.â
Give options - But with limited choices. Asking your kid if they want the yellow or blue shirt will help them feel empowered while you get them dressed without a fight. Win-win.
Offer information - No one likes to be told what to do all the time, especially when they donât understand why. So explain why the toys they left in the driveway are a problem and what could happen if they donât get cleaned up before someone drives up.
Be a good listener - Show your kid how to be a good listener by being one when theyâre telling you something. Look at them and pay attention while theyâre talking to you and eventually, theyâll start doing it too. Fingers crossed, anyway.
Source: POPSUGAR
Thanks for listening! ~Tommy & Brook