Why some kids don’t listen
Quick tips for when kids don’t listen
- Quick tip 1Get their attention.
Get their attention.Say their name and then pause before you give an instruction or ask a question. Have them make eye contact while you speak.
It can be really frustrating when kids don’t seem to listen when you ask them a question or give them an instruction. You might wonder if there’s a problem or if they’re ignoring you on purpose.
A lot depends on age. When kids are little, they often don’t seem to be listening. They may be wrapped up in a game they’re playing. Or they may hear you but not look at you, so you don’t realize they are listening.
As kids get older, they typically learn a simple social rule — when someone is talking, you stop and look at the person, so the person knows you’re listening.
Sometimes, though, it becomes obvious that a child doesn’t listen very well. What could be causing that? It’s possible the child has a hearing problem, and that’s the first thing to check out. But there are other reasons kids have a hard time listening.
Two common cases are trouble with language or trouble with following directions. Focus challenges can also play a role.
No matter what’s causing the difficulty, it’s important to know that kids don’t mean to be disrespectful. They just need help building the skills they need for listening.
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