Getting a child to listen

[Meltedchocolates]

How on earth do I get my 2.8 year old to listen? !!!

Until recently and actually 95% of the time he is a lovely little boy, pays attention when needed, listens well, and is a joy to have around but recently he has taken to not listening - and he is quite proud of that fact!!!

Nursery have mentioned a couple of times now that he isn't listening or doing as he's told ie - going in the garden when expressly told not too, not stopping with bad behaviour when asked ie teaching the others at the table how to do war cries, banging cups etc!!!

So how can I make him listen?

Hi Meltedchocolates

How long has he been going to nursery? Could it be that it is taking him time to settle into nursery. Does he like nursery? Maybe you could ask him if her enjoys it and what does he enjoys doing there?

Have you set boundreis for him at home? Re enforce what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Children understand much more that what we think and its never too early to set these boundries.

When you speak to him kneel down more to his height and use a firm and low voice, using eye contact. Tell hime that what he is doing to not nice etc. You may need to give him time out whenever necessary.

A thought just came. Make a big fuss when he does something good. Well done! that we very good etc. You could perhaps have a behaviour chart for the week. Rewarding him if he does really well>

He's been going since 6 months so not that

Seems to like nursery - excited to go most mornings - separates well etc although we do sometimes say we don't want to go.

I do lots of major praise when he has listened and he knows what listening is - ie touches his ear and says listen when he hears something ie a reversing truck or if I have asked him to listen but if he's already doing something he won't!!! [argh!!]

I used to say to ds3 who used to find concentrating really difficult. Keep watching my eyes until I have finished speaking... Can you remember any of the words I said? What were they?

as already mentioned, kneel down so that you are at the same level and then use lots of praise when your words are acted on positively

good idea about repeating back

I say 'nose to nose' and tap my nose to my dd (she's 3 in august)
she comes over and presses her nose to mine staring at me, sometimes I do something silly to make her giggle once she's there, sometimes I've something I need her to listen to me say, keeping her unsure which it's going to be means she always comes over in case its the fun option

Oooh I like that nose to nose thing

it's nice because if we're both a bit grumpy it breaks the mood - you just can't be annoyed with that button nose pressed against yours with her eyes staring straight into mine, it's just too cute [soppy emoticon]

Agree with repeating back - possibly also a 1 strike rule ie - you do that again and this will happen.