LittlEARS Item 34

34. Does your child follow complex commands?

As children get better at listening, we want to keep stretching the types of things we have them listen for so they can get to be better and better listeners. So instead of saying, "Go get your shoes" we might say "Go get your shoes and your hat, meet me at the door." The world is full of long sentences and a lot to listen for - it's our job to help kids get ready for that challenge!

Example Situation

Your child has been watching you rake the leaves and wants to take a turn. You can say "Rake all of the leaves into a pile under the tree. " How might you assist your child in following directions? There are many factors to raking leaves! Consider the tools, the actions

Your child has been watching you rake the leaves and wants to take a turn. You can say "Rake all of the leaves into a pile under the tree. "

This sentence has your child listening for:

the action word (or verb) RAKE,
the noun, LEAVES,
the noun, PILE,
and the prepositional phrase, UNDER THE TREE

It's good to challenge and support more complex language as your child is ready. If they don't get it all, just go back and show them what you meant.

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