My 6 year old has trouble following directions and keeping his privilidges, any advice?
by Angie
(Louisville)
For example, on school and work mornings I will tell him "before you go downstairs, brush your teeth, put your school clothes on (already laid out), and make your bed and once that is done you may go wait for me and watch tv a minute or play your DS, etc...". He can not manage to do these 3 things if I don't stay on him, when I am trying to get myself ready for work. Very frustrating! And then he wants to argue or back talk me, when I make him come back upstairs to finish, and then tell him that he has lost his privilidge because he did not mind. How can I instill him following simple directions? It is frustrating to always have to "take" something away, when I am trying to give him directions, choices and reward for making good choices, he can't seem to follow through!
Comments for
My 6 year old has trouble following directions and keeping his privilidges, any advice?
You could get him up much earlier and have time to interact with him while he does the 'boring' things.Make it a happy hour.He can sense your tension and is uncomfortable with being 'rushed' as he sees it.If you are relaxed he will co-operate more readily I think.If he then finds he has time to do something he likes while he waits for you to get ready he will work out for himself the benefits of being ready on time. We are non of us robots and all have different ways of ordering our lives lets hope he establishes a satisfactory one for himself.He is still only little isn't he?Good Luck
Jun 20, 2011
Agree with the testing. by: Anonymous
My son is 7 and has just been diagnosed with APD. Auditory Processing Disorder. He has trouble following multiple directions, reading, even gym. After seeing the other kids do something he still has trouble following. He has a child study team working with him.
May 19, 2011
Be firm! by: Anonymous
My son went through this terrible phase and most mornings I would drive to school in tears. I for so fed up that if he miss behaved in the mornings he had dinner after school and went to bed! Yes he screamed and cried and yes I questioned myself but after three days of this he was ok in the morning. After a week he was a joy! I was full of praise and also took him for dinner and I bought him a toy after because of the complete change in his behavior!
Be firm and be sure to praise even the smallest change!
Mar 17, 2011
Make him walk to school by: Anonymous
This may sound harsh, but I cured my kids of lollygagging around in the mornings by making them walk to school (2.5 miles) if they missed the bus. DD1 got the message the first time. DS had to test me out, but got it too. DD2 got it pretty well, but had to do it a few more times. Now that they are in high/middle school and it is too far to walk, I charge them $20 from their allowance for each ride. Guess how many times my high schoolers have missed the bus? Zero! If it's too far to walk, then make them go part way (enough to not want to do it again).
Aug 13, 2010
Have your son tested by: Anonymous
Hi, It might be wise to have your son tested for Auditory Processing Disorder since he has trouble following more than one part directions. My son, who has this disorder, can't follow more than two directions at one time. He is highly distracted and forgets on his way to following a direction from me. Try giving him fewer directions at a time and praise him when he he completes your directions accurately. Do this when you have more time and can work with him on it (not when you are getting ready for an appointment or school). Good luck!
Mar 18, 2010
My 6year old has trouble following directions by: JT
I dont sense that you are impolite the way the last commenter wrote. I think you are a great mum, just busy and trying to do your best. You put out your child'd uniform and give the incentive to play the DS or watch TV. This is all very sweet. You may just have to be a bit firmer or stay with your child through the morning activities a few times. My son loves the occasional 'treats' when I put his socks and shoes on and tie his laces. Make the morning rules together and make sure your child is happy with it. I can assure you that you have done a great job. Most parents have the same story every morning. My son is six and can take a whole hour to shower and put on his ready clothes. I wrote out the morning program with him and put it on his bedroom door. After one term he could tell you all the steps: Wake up at 7.00, make my bed, shower, brush my teeth, put on sunscreen, put on my uniform, do some academic work at home (extra tuition) for 20 minutes, have breakfast, pack my school bag (with lunch bag, school folders, sports bag, etc), put on my school hut and get into the car). In the car he can read a book of his choice or play the DS. We set off for school at 8.15am and he gets to do all these things daily. Good luck and don't stress about it. Children at this stage do not appreciate consequences as we would like them to, until about ten years.
Feb 05, 2010
be polite by: Anonymous
I believe he need more care and attention. You may be polite and ask him to help you doing all tis work. We always believe that it works only when we command but in fact not with our kids. Try to be more sweet and give him a smile. Hold him or hug him when you ask your kid to do sometin. I am sure this will work. This will save your time and lot more things. :)
