There are two elements need to be taken into account before we analyze the potential reasons a toddler could not listen.
Children develop a lot of new skills throughout the toddler years, which are between the ages of 1-3. One of them is acquiring the ability to pay attention and obey directions. Since they are beginners, it should come as no surprise that it’s difficult.
Because toddlers are people, they will experience a range of complicated emotions. Like older children and adults, their reactions will also depend on whether they are hungry or exhausted.
A toddler is a young child who grows and changes every day. When young children “do not listen,” it is not always because they are rebellious or irresponsible. They are still developing their listening skills.
However, there are a few typical explanations for a toddler not paying attention to their caregiver:
There might be a communication issue! When speaking to a young child, try to use short sentences. A child may find it difficult to stay on track or the message may become diluted if you give them a list of things to remember. To make sure the toddler can listen better, it could be helpful to explain things in shorter, simpler sentences.
They might simply be preoccupied! Children typically give their complete attention to whatever they are watching or playing. You are asking them to put down what they find enjoyable in order to listen to you when you try to speak to them. It might be challenging for young children to put an enjoyable activity to an end.
When they do listen, you haven’t been paying them any kind of encouraging attention. Praise for effective listening should be used to reinforce it. Saying something like, “I admire how you put your shoes in the closet when I asked you!” would be an example. ”
Here are three suggestions for parents and other adults on how to get young children to listen:
Give your child verbal notice when their activity will cease if you want them to stop watching a show or playing with their toys to listen. This will emotionally prepare them and give them some time to turn back to you. Also available are timers.
Maintaining eye contact with your toddler while speaking can be done by lowering yourself to their level. This makes sure you have their complete and undivided attention, promotes better listening, and teaches kids that respect includes listening.
Put a smile on everyone’s face by adding a fun element to the activity if you see a pattern in which your child ignores your instructions on particular rituals. A reward system might be established, or you can make the activity a race between you and your child, if, for instance, your youngster refuses to listen right before bed.
