10 tips to get children to listen to us

Children tend to obey when we ask them to listen to us, but do they do the same when we want them to listen to us when we speak to them? Many times we request or explain something to the child and he or she continues in their games or toys or simply does not even listen to us (a situation that also becomes common if it is about teenagers). We do not have to despair, but we must be patient and resort to these 10 tips to get children to listen.

10 tips to get your son or daughter to listen to you

Children are able to withdraw into their imagination or what they are doing (especially if it is something they like) to such an extent that sometimes, it seems that they do not even hear the voices around them. A situation that depending on each case can become desperate if we take into account that many times the fact that children do not listen to us, will mean that they disobey us or that they simply skip the rules they must comply with. Luckily we have tricks that will help young children (and those that are not so), listen to us and above all, listen well to what we say to you.

1 / Show more to say

If you have to tell a child to throw away a sheet of paper, you should not only give the order, but also show him how to do it. The child is extremely concrete and needs concrete answers. Also, think that if you say or ask something of a young child, they may not know how to do it yet and you think they are not listening to you. How can you tell him to clean up his room if he’s never done it before? You must explain things, and from there you can ask for them.

2 / Put up posters

This is especially good for children who already know how to read. They will be intrigued by what we are doing and reading the message confidently will also help them not to forget things. In this way, when we tell them to do what it says on the kitchen signs, you will know just by reading it once that you have to wash your breakfast glass or that you have to close the refrigerator door properly if you open it. You will surely save on words and requests.

3 / Use specific or “key” words

Sometimes just one word is enough. After explaining things to them, for our children to listen to us, we will have to concentrate on saying specifically what to do. For example, if it’s her turn to wash the dishes, you just have to say the word dishes. You will realize that when you pronounce that one word, the child pays more attention to you than if you elaborate on a whole speech asking them to do their homework.

4 / be funny

When it comes to asking children to listen to us because we are going to ask them to do something, not everything has to be approached from a negative point of view. Offering a little joy and play to the child when we interact with him will certainly help make us listen.. If we are too rigid we end up getting bored and the child will have no interest in listening to what we have to say.

5 / Lead by example

If we tell the child not to scream and then we are the first to scream, surely the little one will not listen to us because it will be easier (and more comfortable) to follow the example before him / her than to obey a rule that we ourselves do not follow. Another example: if we are the first to have the phone in hand all day, then we cannot expect that our son will not look at the tablet or want to be in front of his mobile at all hours.

6 / Divide what you want to say

When it comes to asking children for something, if we want them to listen to us, it will be good to divide our requests into small parts. It will be easier for the child to listen to us. For example, it is useless to ask several things at the same time. It is better to separate them and order things little by little or one by one. The little one will find it easier to respond to requests and pay attention to what we are saying.

7 / Let’s check if children are receptive

Sometimes our child does not listen to us simply because they have a more urgent physical need, such as sleeping, being hungry or moving. Let’s try to understand if our child is receptive and only then, looking into his eyes, can we talk to him and listen to us.

8 / Don’t manipulate, collaborate

If, for example, we go to the supermarket and force the children to accompany us, and then We promise that if they are good we will go to the park we are manipulating them. If, on the other hand, we get help with the purchase, for example by making him take one thing from a shelf instead of another, the child will be more willing to listen to us.

9 / Let’s be patient and give the children time

Each person has their own time, so we will have to be good at waiting for them to find out what we ask them to do. Caught in a frenzy sometimes we don’t realize that we demand things too fast. So let us respect their times a few and make sure they have understood what we have told them.

10 / We are connected with our son or daughter

Finally, if we want to get the children to listen to us, it will be good to do an examination of conscience and ask ourselvesAre we saying things to our child so that they understand or are we using language that is too difficult? Do we look him in the eye? Do we make sure we are connected with him and that he makes us understand? If we identify with him and enter into his logic, it is easier for him to listen to us fully.