With video games, television and the Internet children are often over-stimulated, leading to a common behavior problem, the inability to follow directions, or worse - the ability to follow directions but the refusal to do so, at home and at school. There are many preventative steps that you, as a parent, can take. If you are already experiencing difficulty with your child, here the same measures can be taken to help correct the problem.
Only when you are prepared to enforce, establish rules for following directions. If parents do not enforce their directions, then children learn that their parents don't mean what they say.
Parents should get their children's attention in a loving, patient and understanding manner. Avoid yelling directions from another room.
Watch your phrasing. Do not phrase directions as a question. (For example, don't say "Would you like to read to me?)
Your children need you to be very direct. "Be good," is very vague to a child. Parents should make their directions clear and specific; directions that tell children what to do instead of what not to do.
Show appreciation and praise them. Make sure you offer positive encouragement and let them know that they are doing a good job.
Children can and do learn to follow directions after one or no warning just as easily as they learn to follow directions after many warnings. If they know there is a time limit. If they trust their parents mean what they say. It isn't a game, when you ask something you expect them to follow directions.
Allow me to bring perspective to the importance of this lesson. Each parent will teach their child to drive. What if a car is about to pass through a red light, your child does not see it coming, you do. You say stop. Will the little one you are raising stop? Or will it be a debate?
Keep Reading at: http://www.examiner.com/x-2016-Parenting--Education-Examiner~y2010m1d31-Teaching-your-child-to-follow-directions-is-a-life-time-101-skill for two slide shows for your child. One is how to make a Valentine float; the other is to make a Valentine Sundae. Have your child read and follow the directions.
Before they start tell them if they don't follow the directions they can't eat their treat. I just know your little Valentines will be able to follow the directions the first time!
Enjoy,
R.R.Cratty