How are you supposed to get a little kid to listen to you?

Question

The kid is around 5 or 6 years old. How are you supposed to get them to listen to you if they just won't listen to you and do what they tell you?

Answer 1

5 -6 year old he must listen to u at this age. he not a 2 -3yr old anymore.
major part of discipline is learning how to talk with children. The way you talk to your child teaches him how to talk to others.
1.Before giving your child directions, squat to your child's eye level and engage your child in eye-to-eye contact to get his attention.Be sure not to make your eye contact so intense that your child perceives it as controlling rather than connecting.

2.use the one-sentence rule.The longer you ramble, the more likely your child is to become parent-deaf

3Ask your child to repeat the request back to you
If he can't, it's too long or too complicated.
and most important u have to be v.strict to them at times. just so to dicipline them.

Answer 2

It sounds like you're getting into a power struggle when that happens.

Sometimes you need to back off for a moment. You don't have to give in, just approach the problem from a different angle. That can include discussing issues of cooperation, and how that enables you to do other stuff that helps the family and the household to work more smoothly.

It takes patience, sometimes even the "broken-record" technique, but in the end, that approach teaches the underlying _reasons_ why certain behavior is necessary. And that last part is the essence of parenting - teaching reason.

Hitting, on the other hand, only teaches that Mom or Dad will cause pain if I don't behave as they wish. It also jeopardizes the trust and parent-child bond at best, and at worst, a parent can get carried away and inflict real, lasting physical and mental injury. I'm sure some will advise hitting, but that's the lazy way of parenting "it only takes a few seconds to smack 'em, and it's SOOO effective!" (yeah, you oughta see how well a STUN GUN works!) :-(

However, if repeated attempts to reason don't work, then a consequence that's Reasonable, Respectful and if possible Related (3 R's) to the misbehavior can be imposed. At 5 or 6 years old, it doesn't have to be much -- often just some change in the activity or room is adequate to get their attention.

Answer 3

For a start you have to let them know why you are telling them to do something. (for their safety, so people understand them etc etc) You also have to realise that at that age they are very sensitive - growing up isn't such an easy thing and being told what to do all the time can be pretty daunting for a little kid.
Treat them as your equal - if they don't listen ask why they aren't - and if they can't give you a reasonable answer then you need to escalate it to the next level.
What would you do with an adult that wasn't listening to you? Think about how you are wording how you want things done - and perhaps rephrase what you are asking of them? Also - when they ask you something (usually pretty soon after you have asked them) do what they have just done to you and not listen. I know it sounds rough - but they learn that not listening is unacceptable and will ask you why you aren't listening to them.
Even though they are small, they are still an equal. Treat them with respect - but let them know that you are boss - and things should fall into place. Did with my son anyway.

And hey, what do you have to lose right?

Answer 4

Ok they shouldn't unless you are in charge of them...so if your around 10 or 11...forget it.

If you are providing care for a 5 or 6 year old...clearly state what you expect, in what amount of time and then what the consequence is if they don't listen...time out, throw away toys they won't pick up...whatever.

Then tell them what fun activity will occur when they are done...

Pick up your things, we will be going to the park in 30 minutes...whatever is not put away will need to go in the trash...in 15 minutes say 1/2 way there 15 more minutes...then 10, 5, 2 okay take remaining toys throw them away...then go to the park....do not yell or become upset, just follow through on what you say...hitting and yelling solves nothing.

Answer 5

set clear expectations.... provide consistant consequences for bad behaviors and don't forget to reward and praise good behavior.

Sound easy right? It can be.
Make sure they know exactly how you want them to behave. Model that behavior for them if you need to.
When they know what you expect... they most likely will do it. They WANT to please you... they just don't always know how.

For the times they don't. Have clear pre-established consequences for them. Post it if you have to... then, here's the clincher....STICK TO IT.

You never want to go back on your established set of consequences... they will use it against you later. It's the hardest thing to do ... but be consistant.
You'll notice they start getting consequences less and less.... soon enough.. they'll know you mean business.

suggested consequences - loose tv for day. can't play outside for a day.... Just don't make it too long or too harsh... give them a quick effective consequence and then give them an easy way to behave again..... ask them to walk the dog... or clean up dirty clothes... then PRAISE>

whesh.... hope I didin't confuse you.

Answer 6

Supernanny knows her stuff. I have a 2 yr old and sit for kids that are older. If you get down on their eye level, make sure they are lookin at your eyes, you may have to repeat that request but it'll work. Calmly tell them that they need to do whatever it is and if they don't they are going to be in trouble. my 2 year old has no idea what being in trouble entails, but he straightens up real quick as soon as i tell him to look into my eyes.

Answer 7

Before I had kids I thought moms who counted to three were crazy, but it really works with my kids. I tell what I want them to do in a calm way and if they don't do it I count "one....two....three". They will usually jump up and do it by two. If they don't, they have to stand in the corner for one minute per year of their age. Then they have to do what I said anyway!! If they refuse again, they just stand in the corner again. He'll learn that it's better to do what you say before you get to three. Corners are very boring!!

Answer 8

Do what I do when my 5 year old won't listen!
Which is, when she wants something I pretend I'm her and listen the same way. (To a certain degree)

Answer 9

Get down to their level when you talk to them. Be firm, consistent and fair. always do what you are going to say- don't make threats and not follow thru- if you say you are going to take away a toy if he/she doesn't do what you told him/her to do, then do it. Read 1-2-3 Magic. It works if YOU can be consistent. you have to be the one to not give in and let the child run the house!

Answer 10

Be very firm. Kids know when you mean business.
Be prepared to be extremely patient as you will have to have a stronger will and repeat yourself as many times as necessary. Results will depend on how long this behaviour has been going on, kids know how to test us.