TEACHING ORDER TO SMALL CHIDREN
Preschoolers don’t usually keep their attention focussed on a single object for long. If they are lucky to have shelves with various toys, they will pick one and play with it for a while, then another and another …
The result, of course, will not please the mom or the person who has been working to keep the house tidy.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHING ORDER TO YOUR PRESCHOOLER
We know that at that age they can be taught to be orderly, that they love sound patterns and that we can begin to stimulate reading by associating words and images.
HOW TO TEACH ORDER TO YOUR PRESCHOOLER
It is convenient that you have a shelf or a place for each type of toy, where you place a label with the drawing and the name of each class of toys. Also have 50 stars painted with your child’s favorite colores and a cardboard on which the stars earned will be placed.
You can make those preparations with him, and invent a catchy little song that says something like: Come on, let’s put the toys in their place.
Then proceed as follows:
- Agree with your little one the prize or reward you will give him for having obtained a certain number of stars (or points). The reward must be something important for him that you can give to him.
- Establish clearly how each star will be earned. For example, putting away a doll or a cart can win one, but if it is a toy with many pieces, putting it away can earn let’s say five points. In short, you can decide the reward system with him. Write down the rules; they have to be very clear and rigorously respected.
- Clearly determine when he will be able to exchange stars for the prize. It can be a delicious dessert or a weekend walk, or an expensive toy that requires more time and greater number of points
- Your child will inform you when he has saved each toy and you will immediately proceed to place the corresponding stars on the cardboard. Keep a written record for yourself, just in case. Don’t forget to sing the song and to help him associate the drawing with the written word that corresponds to the type of toy.
- Start by making requests such that he is highly likely to win the prize. That will encourage him, then you can increase the requests because “he is already a big boy”.
- Anyone left in charge of the child has to rigorously respect these requirements.
- Never deny him the prize if he has earned it, and never give it to him otherwise, even if he cries and this is very painful for you. If you think the demands were excessive you can change the rules the following week, but not when awarding the prize. The success of this procedure depends on the rigor of its implementation (Bijou and Rayek, 1978).
This technique is called: Economy of tokens and you can find it explained in detail in WHAT DO I DO NOW? NO ONE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A MOM! especially under the subjects: What can I do to stop my daughter from leaving her toys all over the house, What should I do if my child takes too long getting ready for school? And Developing habits through the token economy.
You can also check in this same Blog: He takes too much time getting dressed, The small happy faces and infant habits; as well as visit Facebook Urquia Larralde (psykia), Twitter @psykia20 and Instagram @psykia20
I appreciate the observations, questions, suggestions or criticisms that you want to address to me through psykia20@gmail.com. You will be welcome and I will gladly reply.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE:
Bijou, S. and Rayek, E. (1978): Conductual analysis applied to instruction, Trillas, Mexico.
