Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#FamiliesUnderPressure has been created by the NHS and King's College London to help families struggling during #COVID19. The tips are based on decades of research and rooted in the experience of NHS teams.
In this video we share tips on getting your child to follow instructions.
How do you encourage your children to follow instructions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Credits:
These tips have been formulated by Professor Andrea Danese and colleagues at the Maudsley CAMHS Trauma, Anxiety and Depression clinic. They are drawn from Cognitive Behavioural-Therapy (CBT) principles used to help young people who experience anxiety or depression.
Narrated by Rob Brydon
More about this video
Want children to follow instructions? Discover the keys to helping them listen and understand. If you want your children to follow your instructions then you need to be sure that they are listening to you and that they understand what you are saying.
Clear communication between parents and children is key to reducing parent-child conflict and promoting better behaviour.
If your children don’t know what it is you want from them – either because they don’t hear what you say or because they don’t understand what they hear – then it is unreasonable to tell them off when they don’t do what you want.
If you do tell them off in such circumstances it will be no surprise that they get upset with you.
There are some simple things you can do to improve the way you communicate with your child to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Getting attention
Although it sounds obvious, move to the same room as your child – don’t shout from room-to-room.
Get full attention – remove distractions like phones or computers – either yours or theirs.
Make eye-contact – make sure your child can see your eyes and mouth and you can see theirs.
Being understood
Speak slowly Use simple short sentences – including only one point per sentence.
Check that they have understood what you have said by asking them to explain it to you.
If you want to get your child to stop doing something give them good warning – count down the time till they have to stop.
Display authority and be a good role model.
Be calm and firm – don’t plead.
Be polite and respectful. Respect breads respect.
Watch more tips on the Mumsnet YouTube channel or visit the Families Under Pressure website here ibit.ly/3vaS
Like this? Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more Mumsnet content.
http://tiny.mn/1k47ooT
Want to get involved? Join the Mumsnet Influencers' network - just email us at influencers@mumsnet.com
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#FamiliesUnderPressure has been created by the NHS and King's College London to help families struggling during #COVID19. The tips are based on decades of research and rooted in the experience of NHS teams.
In this video we share tips on getting your child to follow instructions.
How do you encourage your children to follow instructions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Credits:
These tips have been formulated by Professor Andrea Danese and colleagues at the Maudsley CAMHS Trauma, Anxiety and Depression clinic. They are drawn from Cognitive Behavioural-Therapy (CBT) principles used to help young people who experience anxiety or depression.
Narrated by Rob Brydon
More about this video
Want children to follow instructions? Discover the keys to helping them listen and understand. If you want your children to follow your instructions then you need to be sure that they are listening to you and that they understand what you are saying.
Clear communication between parents and children is key to reducing parent-child conflict and promoting better behaviour.
If your children don’t know what it is you want from them – either because they don’t hear what you say or because they don’t understand what they hear – then it is unreasonable to tell them off when they don’t do what you want.
If you do tell them off in such circumstances it will be no surprise that they get upset with you.
There are some simple things you can do to improve the way you communicate with your child to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Getting attention
Although it sounds obvious, move to the same room as your child – don’t shout from room-to-room.
Get full attention – remove distractions like phones or computers – either yours or theirs.
Make eye-contact – make sure your child can see your eyes and mouth and you can see theirs.
Being understood
Speak slowly Use simple short sentences – including only one point per sentence.
Check that they have understood what you have said by asking them to explain it to you.
If you want to get your child to stop doing something give them good warning – count down the time till they have to stop.
Display authority and be a good role model.
Be calm and firm – don’t plead.
Be polite and respectful. Respect breads respect.
Watch more tips on the Mumsnet YouTube channel or visit the Families Under Pressure website here ibit.ly/3vaS
Like this? Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more Mumsnet content.
http://tiny.mn/1k47ooT
Want to get involved? Join the Mumsnet Influencers' network - just email us at influencers@mumsnet.com
Like Mumsnet on Facebook: facebook.com/mumsnet
Follow Mumsnet on Twitter: @mumsnettowers
Follow Mumsnet on Instagram: @mumsnet
