The key word here is LISTEN. As soon as Claudia began describing the problem, I knew that Molly was having a problem with listening, even when Claudia changed tones and postures and promised and threats.

  

Verbal reasoning depends on many verbal skills that a child may not have yet developed. ACT not YAK means to show the child, demonstrate, and use pictures to explain. And limit the number of words to see if you can increase cooperation.

 

Molly has a language processing disorder, so more talking is making it worse.  Often children with good skills in other areas seem smart and capable and then it seems like they are choosing not to cooperate rather than suffering from skill deficits.

 

Listening is a processing problem, not a behavior problem 

 

If a 2-year-old preschooler wanders off during story time to play a musical instrument, you don't think he's bad, you think that you haven't held his attention and engaged his thinking with your words. When a child is doing this at seven or eight years old, however, it's often considered a behavioral problem when often it is really a processing problem.

 

In fact, a primary function of preschool is to lengthen attention -- especially for listening comprehension and following directions. About 75% of  a kindergartener's day depends on accurate listening. So to prepare kids for kindergarten, we work on training their attention, working memory, and listening comprehension -- skills that are the basis for early learning.

  

Is your child not paying attention when you talk? Do they lose their temper, have a "hot head" or a meltdown?  Schedule a free initial consultation with me to talk about your situation.  I would love to hear from you.   

 

Cheri L. Florance, Ph.D. 

President and Founder 

Brain Engineering Labs