Why Your Toddler Isn’t Listening (And How To Help)
You know how you'll explain something to your toddler over and over again... but it still seems like they've never heard those words before in their entire life? And for a second you think, “do your ears work or are they just for show?”
That's because toddlers don’t learn the same way we do.
As adults, we love explanations. We want the why. The logic. The instructions. But toddlers? They're little scientists, “what happens if I?”…
jump in this puddle
kick this tower of blocks
jump off the couch 😜
And once you understand that, it can help make those moments feel a little easier. Less "why isn't my child listening?" and more… “how do I say this in a way they'll actually hear me?”
So if your words don't seem to be landing, try turning it into a little experiment:
If you want them to clean up, “let's pick up our toys, what happens if we try it with our eyes closed?”
If you want them to wash up before dinner, “let's wash our hands, what happens if we rub the soap without any water?”
If you want them to put their clothes on, “time to get dressed, what happens if we do it with the lights off?”
The goal isn't to stop giving directions. It's to wrap them in something toddlers already love…curiosity.
Because toddlers are already asking, "What happens if I do this?" all day long.
Sometimes cooperation gets a whole lot easier when we start asking the same question.
P.S.
If this gave you one of those "ohhh, that makes so much sense" moments, this is the type of support you'll find in Potty Training Playfully too. Not more pressure or rigid rules. Just a deeper understanding of your little one so this milestone feels easier.
One mama put it better than I ever could:
"It helped us feel bonded to our son deeper than ever by speaking his language of play and incorporating it in all areas of our life. I can’t thank you enough for creating this method and this guide. I could honestly cry for how grateful I am to you!"
Want to learn more? Find it here.