How to Teach Your Children to Follow Instructions Amy Smith, March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 How to Teach Your Children to Follow Instructions Parenting can be a difficult task. One of the most important things you can teach your children is how to follow instructions. This skill will serve them well in life, both academically and professionally. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to teach your children to follow instructions effectively! When your children are young, it is important to be very specific with your instructions and make sure they understand what you are asking them to do. It can be tempting to just tell them to “go play” or “clean up your room when your children are young.” However, this can often lead to frustration on both sides. Kids are more likely to comply with your requests if you are specific about what you want them to do. For example, instead of asking them to “go play,” try saying, “Why don’t you go outside and see if any of the neighborhood kids are out so you can play with them?” And instead of just telling them to “clean up your room,” try specifying which toys need to be put away and where they go. By being clear and concise with your instructions, you can help avoid misunderstandings and set your children up for success. You may also want to consider using visual aids whenever possible. As any parent knows, trying to get kids to do what you say is often easier said than done. But one way to increase the chances of your children following directions is to use visual aids whenever possible. For example, if you’re trying to teach them how to make their bed, show them a picture of a made bed or have them watch you do it. Then, break the task down into small, manageable steps and have them practice each one. You can also use visual aids to help kids learn new words or understand complex concepts. In the end, using visual aids is a great way to make learning fun and engaging for both you and your child. Make sure your instructions are age-appropriate. Another important tip is to make sure your instructions are age-appropriate. Younger children have shorter attention spans and may not be able to follow long or complex directions. Conversely, older children may become frustrated if you treat them like they’re still toddlers. It’s important to find a balance that works for your family. Play board games with your children Board games are a great way to spend time with your children and help them develop important life skills. One of the most important skills that children can learn from playing board games is how to follow instructions. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for children to be able to follow directions, whether they’re studying for a test or following safety procedures. Board games provide a fun and interactive way for children to practice following instructions. As they play, they learn how to read and understand the rules of the game, as well as how to strategize and plan their next move. By playing board games with your children, you can help them develop the important skill of following instructions. Give gifts that require your child to read and follow directions such as building sets. One of the best gifts you can give your child for their birthday is something that will help them improve their reading and following directions skills. Building sets are perfect for this, as they include step-by-step instructions that your child will need to read in order to put the set together. Not only will they receive the satisfaction of seeing the set come together as they follow the directions, but they’ll also be developing important life skills that will benefit them in the future. So when you’re out shopping for gifts, consider giving your child something that will help them learn and grow. Older children can generally follow more general instructions, but it is still important to be clear and concise when giving them directions. As any middle or high schooler parent knows, getting them to do anything can be a challenge. older kids generally have a pretty good idea of what they need to do and how to do it, so when you give them instructions, you don’t need to be as specific as you would with a younger child. However, it’s still important to be clear and concise, or you’ll likely just end up frustrating them. If you’re too vague, they’ll have no idea what you want them to do, and if you’re too wordy, they’ll tune you out completely. So when giving directions to an older child, try to find that sweet spot in the middle where they understand what you’re saying but don’t feel like you’re talking down to them. Remember that your child is still learning and growing. Finally, it’s important to remember that children are still learning and developing. They may not always follow your instructions perfectly, and that’s okay! The goal is to teach them how to follow instructions effectively, not to force them into compliance. With patience and practice, your children will get the hang of it in no time! If your children are having difficulty following instructions, don’t get frustrated. Instead, try to figure out the root of the problem. Is your child having trouble understanding what you’re saying? Are they getting distracted easily? Once you identify the issue, you can work on finding a solution. When your children are young, it is important to be very specific with your instructions and make sure they understand what you are asking them to do. You may also want to consider using visual aids whenever possible. Older children can generally follow more general instructions, but it is still important to be clear and concise when giving them directions. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your children are able to follow instructions effectively, both now and in the future. With some patience and practice, you can teach your children to follow instructions like a pro! Just remember to be clear, concise, and age-appropriate, and you’ll be on your way. Connect with My Four and More on Social Media! FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave Life Parenting Tips birthday giftschildrendevelopmentfollowgamesinstructionsLearningparentsvisual aids