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?
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. :)
