I babysit a 4 yr old who just will not listen. Can anyone help?

Question

It is really bad. She just flat out will not listen to anything you say. She won't listen or pay attention for longer than like 30 seconds. And another problem is that she will not answer you even if she hears you. I have been putting her in time out for not listening but I just don't know if I'm getting through? Her mother states that she has the same problems at home with her and that she has to tell the child the same thing 3 or 4 times. I don't want to do that or feel that it is neccessary. I would like tips on lessons about listening/paying attention/being aware. She is also quite rude for a little kid. She seems very self-absorbed almost. I need help!!! THANKS!!

Answer 1

DO NOT give in to her. If she wants something...make her say please and thank you before she wants anything. I watch a little boy and when he says 'he wants juice' I just say "ok, that's nice". The listening part...hhhmmmmmm. Maybe you and the mother might want to sit down and figure something out where you are both on the same terms. You never hit a child in anyway....please. Sometimes you may want to, but you never lay a hand on a child.

Maybe put a chair in the middle of a room where there is nothing and make her sit, and tell her why she is there, give her a time limit, and tell her she can sit and think about what she has done.

A question....does she have ADD and ADHD???? Her mother might want to get her tested. Hope this was a little help!!

Answer 2

Just be consistent.  My 4 year old responds better when I take away something really important to him.  I make sure the time out chair is right in front of me and he is not allowed to talk or touch the dog.  I guess she is an only child?  My kids use "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" and they don't talk back as much.

Good luck, wish I could be more help.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if this is the problem or not but her mom may want to take her to the doctors and see if she has a hearing problem.  There are a few kids in my family that we all had the same problem with and it turned out they had hearing problems.  After they got that taken care of it was like totally different kids.