4 Ways to Get Children's Attention

Title: Why Doesn’t My Child Listen? The Hidden Gap Between Hearing and Understanding
If you have ever given a child a simple instruction, such as “Please put on your shoes,” only to find them playing with blocks two minutes later, you might wonder:
Are they ignoring me?
The truth is, in early childhood, “not listening” is often not about stubbornness. It’s about how the brain develops and processes language.
Listening Is More Than Hearing
When we say “listen,” we often mean “hear my words and act right away.” But for a young child, this process involves multiple steps:

1. Hearing the sounds
2. Understanding the meaning
3. Deciding what to do
4. Physically carrying it out

Even a small delay at any stage can make it seem like the child is not listening.
Why Children Sometimes Do Not Respond

• Developmental readiness — Processing speed increases with age.
• Overload — Too many instructions at once can overwhelm a child.
• Distraction — Their focus might be deeply engaged elsewhere.
• Emotional state — Stress, fatigue, or excitement can affect responsiveness.

Four Ways to Support Listening Skills

1. Get eye-level — Helps children know you’re speaking to them.
2. Use fewer words — Keep instructions short and clear.
3. Pause for processing — Give them 5–10 seconds before repeating.
4. Add visual cues — Pointing, showing, or demonstrating — to support comprehension.

Final Thought:
When we shift our perspective from “They’re not listening” to “They might need help understanding”, we create more patience, connection, and cooperation.
💡 Want to learn more strategies and try them out with real examples?
Join my upcoming workshop: “Why Doesn’t My Child Listen?”
📅 Aug 29, 2025| ⏰ 12 Pm-1 PM | 📍 online (RSVP for registration <<[email protected]>>.
ECE participants will receive a one-hour certificate approved by the BC ECE Registry for FREE!