What To Do When Your Toddler Is Not Listening

WHAT TO DO WITH A TODDLER WHO'S NOT LISTENING 1 CHECK IF THEY'RE ATTENTIVE Get down to their level and make sure they are looking at you in the eye and listening to you. 2 SET EXPECTATIONS Tell them what's going to happen, what they can and cannot do. 3 KEEP IT SHORT Keep your instructions short and sweet. Go straight to the point. 4 BE PLAYFUL Make it fun for them to listen to you. Make the instructions into a game, use a funny voice, etc. 5 GIVE THEM OPTIONS Give them choices that you're okay with, to make them feel empowered and for you to still feel in control. 6 WHISPER Tell something to them in an alarmingly quiet voice. 7 GIVE EXPLANATIONS Explain the possible reasons as to why you want them to listen to you, in the most concise way possible. 8 AVOID SAYING "NO" OFTEN Don't let them get used to you saying "no" often, as it won't have the same weight when you really have to say no to them. 9 NOTICE GOOD BEHAVIOUR Tell them that you appreciate the nice things they've been doing. 10 BE CONSISTENT Don't keep changing the rules or you'll confuse them. If you have to, tell them that it's only this one-time only. 11 BE A GOOD LISTENER If you want them to listen to you, then you also have to listen to them properly. 12 READ A BOOK Get the "How to talk so Kids Will Listen" book. It's a lifesaver. LEARN MORE AT WWW.ADAPTABLEMAMA.COM