This is a simple trick nothing fancy. It works very well whether the child has a special need or not.
You are talking to an adult when your child runs up and needs to talk to you.
1) Have them put their hand on your side or arm.
Hand on the shoulder with your hand over their hand.
2) You cover their hand. This lets them know that you acknowledge that they are there and waiting.
3) If its VERY important have them tap your side or arm to let you know. Then you can immediately attend to the problem.
4) If not they wait with your hand over theirs until it is appropriate for you to pause the conversation and attend to your child’s needs.
Time to talk and give your full attention
5) You stop and have talked with your child. Remember to model good manners by thanking the person who you are talking with that allowed the pause for your child.
Good manners tends to create an atmosphere of happiness and peace. If everyone understands that there is a time and place to be heard they are much more willing to wait. For our special needs kids this method is great because they are being acknowledged the whole time and helped to keep focused.
If you child starts to interupt despite you holding their hand you simply gently squeeze their hand to remind them to wait. You are actively helping them with manners in a very discreet and respectful to the person you are having a conversations with way!
I love the step by step pictures. That is a wonderful little tutorial.
Blessings,
dawn
You are so right about the difference manners can make. My 2 year old twins are extra polite – even being the crazy, hyper, rambunctious children they are! But in the middle of all the craziness, hearing them thanking, pleasing, blessing, helping and loving without prompting… makes it all melt away 🙂
Awesome!!! Love this step-by-step guide. Really enjoyed the part about manners too – oh my goodness – so important and when parents model them, just like you said, our kids DO catch them!! ~ Annie E.
Thank you for this, I need to work on this. Love the pics so sweet. We moved in with my parents and have all fallen into their habit of hollaring across the house and tuning out each other. With a new baby I am feeling this getting way out of control. Any ideas for stopping the yelling?
That is a great way to make them feel noticed! Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you for the reminder. A great way to keep them focused before they are heard. Thanks
Excellent strategy! I think a lot of people do some form of this naturally, but the details really make it work. Thanks, Heather!
-Patrick