Email: whydokids@yahoo.com
Modeling is one of the best ways to teach. It is simple and works for all ages. Children will copy everything they see and hear from adults, friends, and television. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. For example if you expect a child to listen to you, you should listen to them as well. Listening helps build a positive relationship with the child. Positive relationships build trust and a lot of other important social skills.
Modeling works best if it is taught in steps. For example there are steps to washing hands. Teach your child 1 or 2 steps at a time.
1) Turn on the water to get your hands wet.
2) Turn off the water.
3) Put liquid soap on your hands.
4) Sing the ABC song while rubbing your hands. It should take 20 seconds.
5) Turn on the water again. Rinse your hands to get rid of all the bubbles.
6) Turn off the water using a paper towel.
7) Dry your hands with a paper towel.
8) Throw the paper towel away in a foot controlled trashcan with a lid.
2 year old Emily comes to me and taps my leg to get my attention.
She points to the babies and accessories on the shelf.
She wants something but seems confused about how to ask for it. She says something, but I do not understand.
I try giving her a blanket.
She shakes her head and says, “No…baby.”
I see several but they do not have any clothes on.
I pick up an outfit and say, “Do you want the clothes on the baby?”
She has a big smile and claps.
I show her step by step how to put the clothes on.
Then give it to her.
The next day Emily comes up to me with a naked baby doll in one hand and clothes for it in the other.
Leon is complaining because Ruth said he cannot be a mermaid.
I tell the children that they can be anything they want to be.
Next week I hear Ruth saying, “Leon do you want to play mermaids? You can be a mermaid and I can be a mermaid.”
Roxy is pulling out a chair to sit on, but it gets stuck.
She whines.
Adult: “Do you need help?”
Roxy: “Yes…help.”
Roxy watches as I finish pulling out the chair for her.
Leon whines, “Don’t break it!”
Emily brakes then fixes his tent.
Adult: “She wants to help you build. She is coping you to learn how.”
Leon understands and stops whining.
Modeling correct speech (This is used in speech therapy)…
Leon: “I runned outside.”
Adult: “You ran outside?”
Leon: “Yeah, I ran outside in the park.”
Copy the child’s misbehavior…
Leon: “I want to play.”
Ruth: “I’m not sharing!”
Leon looks upset.
Adult takes all of the toys that are causing the fight.
Ruth: “I want them back.”
Adult: “I’m not sharing.”
Adult sorts the toys equally and passes them out to both children.
They start playing again.
NOTE: When a child misbehaves you can copy their facial expressions, temper tantrums, and how they are talking. When they see an adult acting like a child it shows them how they look and helps them stop the negative behavior.
