Four Ways to Get Children's Attention

Title: Why Doesn’t My Child Listen? The Hidden Gap Between Hearing and Understanding. Have you 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!