Does Your Toddler Listen to You?
When you ask toddlers to do something, make it fun
Phrase your directions so they sound fun and/or interesting. Try saying something like, "Pretty soon, it's going to be time to make some holes in the paper cup so we can take it in your bath and play." If you can't come up with anything, you can suggest doing something he can look forward to after he's done brushing his teeth, such as reading a favorite book.
Another way to get toddlers to follow directions is to try having his toys "talk" to him, so his stuffed lion might say: "I don't want to lie on the rug. I want to be in the box with my friends." Preschoolers love that. Although they often can't stop themselves from saying "no," you can help the "no" become a "yes" by making it easy and fun for them to cooperate.
