RAISING BOYS: A TIP FOR THE NEW YEAR
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 my book Wired to Move: Facts and Strategies for Nurturing Boys in Early Childhood Settings Wired to Move: Facts and Strategies for Nurturing Boys in an Early Childhood Setting, published by Gryphon House. Available at online and retail booksellers.
~RuthRuth Hanford Morhard
See www.ruthhanfordmorhard.com
www.ruthhanfordmorhard.blogspot.com
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 my book Wired to Move: Facts and Strategies for Nurturing Boys in Early Childhood Settings Wired to Move: Facts and Strategies for Nurturing Boys in an Early Childhood Setting, published by Gryphon House. Available at online and retail booksellers.
~RuthRuth Hanford Morhard
See www.ruthhanfordmorhard.com
www.ruthhanfordmorhard.blogspot.com
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