Trying to get someone’s attention can prove difficult, and it can be a frustrating process for both children and adults. As adults, we may choose to tap someone on the shoulder or whisper, “excuse me,” to gain their attention.
As children work to develop language skills, saying “excuse me” to get mom or dad’s attention is not front-of-mind. Instead, they may resort to behaviors that elicit a response or reaction. This could include whining, yelling, or other less-desirable behaviors. (As parents, we’re quick to respond when our child yells, and this is something we work to improve on in the classroom, too.)
A few ways in which we can teach children to appropriately get our attention include:
Model the behavior you’re teaching your child.
Practice, practice, practice! Play with this new skill with your child, family, and school community.
Remind your child of your expectations. For example, you may choose to say, “It looks like you want to tell me something. I’d like to talk to you after you tap me gently on the shoulder.”
Celebrate when your child demonstrates their new skill.
To learn more about how best to support your child’s behavior, we invite you to read the complete article.