Come down to their level
Come down to your child’s eye level, make sure there is an-eye-to-eye contact before giving them directives.
Repeat, repeat and repeat
They need to be told a thousand times over. Children take time to internalise directives, so be patient. As they grow older , please reduce the repetitions otherwise you are nagging.
Contact before directive
Walk to where your child is, instead of yelling from miles away. Except of course they are in danger
Keep it short and simple
Use short sentences that are easy to understand
I want you to…..
Instead of belting out directives, maybe start by saying; Sherry, I want you to…….
Use conditional sentences. They are helpful
When you……..then you/we can…………..
Calm your child down
When your child is an emotional wreck, they hear nothing you say
Be socially correct
We want them to be polite so please use “please”
Use rhyme rules
If you hit, you must sit.
Close the discussion
Use your “I mean business “to close the conversation. “I am not changing my mind”
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