Listening, not a 2 yr olds best skill! Any help on how to get him to listen better?

Carys - posted on 08/20/2010

Hi Anne. My son's 2 and a half, too, and does have trouble listening. Tricks I've learnt while teaching are to say my son's name before I say anything, insisting that he looks at me while he listens, and to get down his level so that he doesn't have to look up at me.
You say that he has good days and bad days. Does having a cold or a blocked nose affect his listening skills? From recent research I've read, 1 child in 10 has glue ear. Could this be a contributing factor?
Good luck with it all.

Anne - posted on 08/18/2010

Thank you all for the help. He seems to have good days and bad days (that seem to correlate with how much daddy time he gets), I know it will get better, but I find my patients tested (partially because I am 27 weeks pregnant, and don't have the energy to deal).

Thanks again everyone.

Sarah - posted on 08/18/2010

A few things that can help (sometimes) if you are not already doing are getting down to his level and making him look at you when you are talking to him. It helps to take away distractions. Otherwise just keep doing what you are doing and follow through with the discipline if he is not obeying or listening. I do day care and find that at 2 yrs they spend a LOT of time in time-out, but by time they hit 3 yrs they are having only a few time-outs and most of the time a warning does just fine.

Diane - posted on 08/18/2010

i have a 2.5 yr old also and they like to ignore people but i ask him once ask him again then count to 3...most of the time i dont get to 3 but if i do i pat him on the butt (not hard) but he know that ignoreing mommy is not a good idea =]

Angie - posted on 08/17/2010

I agree with having them repeat instruction. I have used this with other kids of all ages. Also have him look at your eyes when you are talking. It helps them focus on you.

My almost 2 year old is the same way. I keep telling him that his ears are broken and that is why he cant hear mommy but he can hear daddy

Jeneva - posted on 08/17/2010

The best thing is consistency. Make sure you, your husband and the daycare teachers are all on the same page with how you handle his behavior and what he gets time outs for. If there are any differences it will confuse him.

Also make sure to point out the positive behavior as much as possible. This is just as important as consistency.

I also have found that when I make my daughter say it back to me, she listens better. Just keep the instructions as simple as possible.

Other than all that, it will just take time. He is just testing his boundaries but it will get better.

Pip - posted on 08/17/2010

He sounds like a normal little boy to me, full of life. I've got 5 boys the youngest two are 2yrs old (twins). All I can say is it gets better with age. One of the things I do to make sure I'm listened to is to make them repeat the instruction I give, sometimes I might even make them say it a few times so were all on the same page. Best of luck