BEHAVIOR MILESTONES: Listening

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Every parent struggles with how to get their kids to listen better. It becomes especially clear (and embarrassing) when your kids don’t listen well when you are out and about! At home or out it is an ongoing challenge, but there are easy things we can do to help. Listening, like most milestones, is a skill that needs to be learned. In time, good listening becomes a habit and everyone in the family is happier 🙂

​An easy way to help your kids learn to be good listeners is with Kudo Banz. The bands gives kids a physical reminder on their wrist to listen well, and the Kudos gives parents an easy way to give positive reinforcement no matter where they are. Encouraging good listening when it occurs is key to kids repeating the behavior. Here are a few suggested ways they can earn Kudos for good listening.

KUDO STEP SUGGESTIONS:

  • Listens with only one reminder (eventually on first try)
  • Controls emotions when asked to transition (e.g. leave playdate/party)
  • Follows all steps in established routine (e.g. getting ready for school, homework time or going to bed)
  • Happily pitches in when asked to help
  • Follows family rules (and not just on the day you announce a rule)
  • Listens well by remembering multiple steps (or better yet thinking for themselves on what step comes next). For example, “please make birthday card for your friend.” If your child makes the card, picks up supplies and puts card on present, they get a Kudo (and a hug)!

PARENTING TIPS

Connect First: Shouting orders to your kids from another room rarely works. Before talking, make sure you have their attention. Get down on their level and gently touch their arm/shoulder to make sure you are connecting before you begin speaking.
Give Choices: No one likes to be ordered around. Try to use a nice tone, and when possible give kids choices. “Tonight is bath night. Do you want to go now or after dinner without a fuss? Let’s shake on it.”
Keep it Short: Parents often lose their kid’s attention when they use too many words. Be concise and clear when giving instructions.
Set Up Routines: The more routines you can establish, the less “nagging” you’ll have to do. Make step-by-step schedules for everyday tasks (e.g. getting ready for school, after school, getting ready for bed). Instead of constantly reminding them of steps, you can now simply have them check their schedules.
Model Listening: We need to model how to listen well. If we don’t pay attention while our kids are talking to us (e.g.look at phone, do dishes), they won’t learn how to listen to us!
Stay Calm: This is probably the most important tip. When we yell, our kids shut down. It is hard to listen when you are scared. Conserve your energy by staying calm and move things along. When the emergency is over (e.g. getting into car on time), brainstorm with kids ways to improve for next time.

HELPFUL ARTICLES

Kudo Banz Behavior Milestones:

Kudo Banz is like an on-the-go chore chart. Positive reinforcement reinvented to meet the needs of today’s millennial families. As kids grow, they are constantly learning new behaviors. Reaching these milestones in a positive manner is where Kudo Banz comes in! We are here to help start and end behavior in a fun and positive way. Sticker charts or chore charts are often stuck at home, Kudo Banz is always there when you need it since it is right there on your child’s wrist (keeping them motivated to reach their incentive goal).

Finally, a behavior chart that works for your family and makes raising good kids easy and fun. Say goodbye to yelling and tantrums. Kudo Banz makes positive parenting simple.

Growing Happy Families.