A NEW YEAR'S TIP
Frustrated Because He Doesn’t Follow Directions?
Here’s Why and What to Do
You’re in a hurry. You need to get groceries.
Your five year-old son is zooming the remote–controlled car he got for
Christmas back and forth from the great room into the kitchen, where you’re
trying to clean up after lunch. You nearly trip over it. You tell him to pick
the car up, put it back on the shelf in his room and get his coat on so you can
go. He grabs the toy and heads toward his room. Halfway there, he drops to the
floor and starts playing with it again.
You feel like screaming. Why does he always do that? Why can’t he follow
directions?
Well, he can. Just not the way you expect. Boys
are best at focusing on a single task at a time. That’s the way their brains
are built. When they’re young, it’s hard for them to remember more than one
direction at a time. Your best bet is to tap him lightly on the shoulder to get
his attention. Give him the first instruction and ask him to repeat it. Wait
until he has completed each task before you give him the next one. Gradually,
he’ll learn to follow multiple directions at a time. You’ll find more
information in the book Wired to Move:
Facts and Strategies for Nurturing Boys
in Early Childhood Settings, published by Gryphon House.
Available at amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online and retail booksellers.
Available at amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online and retail booksellers.
Also see www.ruthhanfordmorhard.com
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