My boys, especially MiniMad seem to have issues with listening. I and the preschool were so concerned with Mini's hearing that he was referred to an Audiologist.
Thankfully it turned out that Mini's hearing was perfect, although it took four different attempts to get him to co-operate with the tests. You could see that he was hearing the sounds, he just refused to acknowledge them!
The Audiologist was a lovely lady who went on to explain that she sees now boys than girls and that they can hear, they just don't listen. They tune out or focus on other things.
So what can I do about making the boys not only hear what I say to them, but also listen and take notice of it.
1) I have been getting down to their level. When I have something important to say I get on my knees.
2) I gently turn mini's head to my face and ask him to listen and watch what I am saying. I try to keep eye contact.
3) I have been keeping it simple. I am trying to say what I need in the least words possible.
4) By keeping a good tone and not shouting, over lent I tried to give up shouting and it was pretty effective, but I am guilty of slipping.
5) By rewarding listening with praise.
6) By responding with the unexpected.
I am also going to try writing notes, especially for things that I keep having to repeat myself on. ie hanging up coats. The boys have a low peg in the entrance for their coats but at the moment they just keep running in and dropping them, so I am going to leave a note on the door to the living room asking them to hang up their coats.
So what are your children like, do they listen to you, or do you sound like a stuck record? How do you get round this? I would really appreciate all your hints and tips.
The Audiologist was a lovely lady who went on to explain that she sees now boys than girls and that they can hear, they just don't listen. They tune out or focus on other things.
So what can I do about making the boys not only hear what I say to them, but also listen and take notice of it.
1) I have been getting down to their level. When I have something important to say I get on my knees.
2) I gently turn mini's head to my face and ask him to listen and watch what I am saying. I try to keep eye contact.
3) I have been keeping it simple. I am trying to say what I need in the least words possible.
4) By keeping a good tone and not shouting, over lent I tried to give up shouting and it was pretty effective, but I am guilty of slipping.
5) By rewarding listening with praise.
6) By responding with the unexpected.
I am also going to try writing notes, especially for things that I keep having to repeat myself on. ie hanging up coats. The boys have a low peg in the entrance for their coats but at the moment they just keep running in and dropping them, so I am going to leave a note on the door to the living room asking them to hang up their coats.
So what are your children like, do they listen to you, or do you sound like a stuck record? How do you get round this? I would really appreciate all your hints and tips.
