Effective
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Make Your Expectations ClearChildren can't cooperate until they know what exactly is expected of them. Even if you think your child "should" know the expectations, sitting down with your child and presenting your expectations in a direct, clear manner will help reduce misunderstandings and improve compliance.
Countdown to TransitionsWhenever possible, try to prepare your child for an upcoming transition. Give warnings before transitions. For example, "you have 5-minutes before dinner time" or, "you have 10-minutes left to play on your tablet, then we are leaving." Provide your child with as many "warnings" (10, 7, 5, 3, 2 - minutes) as they need to transition smoothly.
Additionally, making the transition at the stated time is just as important as providing a countdown. Allow your child to chooseAs your child grows up, allowing them to have choices over their schedule is important. You can start by giving structure choices (e.g., "do you want to take a bath before or after dinner?"). Allowing your child to make choices can help them to feel empowered and encourages self-regulation.
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