Daughter Does Not Listen 7 Year Old

Updated on February 07, 2013
S.P. asks from Flower Mound, TX
6 answers

I am having a problem with getting my 7 year old daughter listening to instructions from me and some other adults like my husband (her dad), bus driver about sitting in place, soccer coach during practices. I am looking for help in ideas i can use to make her realize that she must listen to rules and instructions.this issue is not for homework or other things just things that must be done like brushing teeth before sleeping.she will just delay or not do it at all.

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L.A.

answers from Austin on

Go back to the way you speak to a toddler.

"Susan, look at my eyes and listen with your ears. It is time to go and brush your teeth and then go to bed. Tell me what I just said."
"Thank you."

Do this with each instruction.. Until she automatically will do the things you ask.

The other thing is to not yell across the house.. Do not allow her to yell across the house. Actually walk to each other to speak...this way you know you each heard each other.

At 7 second half of the school year, she could be a little burned out with being instructed all of the, time.. You just need to retrain her.

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L.S.

answers from San Diego on

Is it possible that your daughter just processes things slowly? When you give her the time to do something does she do it? What I mean is if you just wait does she actually do what you ask? For some kids, they process a little more slowly and quick fire instructions just confuses them or overwhelms them.

She may also need reminding (coaching if you will) to stay on task. Perhaps a checklist to review as a visual reminder may help. I think its interesting you mention it isn't with somethings like homework. That's curious, perhaps its because she is in control of doing that work at her own pace.
Also, check into other things that could be affecting her like ADD, ADHD, Sensory. Talk with your doctor about it. He/she may have some ideas.

3 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

Have you spoken to her teacher? Can she follow directions at school? My younger son was having problems following two and three step instructions so we had to break them down to one step at a time. I have to make eye contact with him when I give him the instructions and have him repeat them back to me.

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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Some of this is just basic self control. It gets better as they get older. My dd has definitely gotten better (she is now 9). Give her constant reminders when you are present. Make sure she has lots of unstructured play time when she can run around and be loud without having to sit still. I've started telling her things once and if she doesn't do it, I take things away. It's tough, but always make sure there is a consequence for not listening or not doing what she's been asked.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

What consequences do you give her for not listening? What does the soccer coach do when she doesn't listen? Does she have to sit on the side? If she's not experiencing consequences, she needs to start. Set up a system where you chart certain (very specific) things she needs to work on and reward her for doing it. Start with 3-4 things so it's not too overwhelming: I brushed my teeth without being asked, I stayed in my seat on the bus, I listened at soccer. Give her small rewards for doing well, and remove privileges if she doesn't as in: "You didn't listen to the coach at soccer, so you're not going to practice next time" or even better "since you didn't listen, coach said you have to sit on the side during the game". Or "the bus driver told me you didn't stay in your sear, so you will have no screen time today".

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M.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Have you ever set up a rewards/consequence system? I would make a set of family rules and then have rewards and consequences that go along with it. For example, 1) talk nicely 2) listen to mom and dad....keep it simple with just a few rules and always be consistent. Bottom line or goal is to help her increase her respect for authority and to help motivate her do things she does not want to do.

1 mom found this helpful
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