Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Redirecting Your Child's Activities
After your child has learned how to "self-quiet" or calm
down on her own, she needs to learn how to redirect her
attention and change activities. Waiting until after a
child knows how to self-quiet is critical because if your
child cannot quiet herself, she will never be able to
redirect.
"Redirecting" is when you encourage your child to change her
activity. If it is done when a child is calm or just after
she has calmed down, it can be very effective in teaching
the child to redirect her activities on her own, without
your assistance.
Step 1. Look for a time when your child has been playing
with one toy or engaging in one activity for a
while. If you sense that she may be just about
finished with that activity or that she may be
getting frustrated with it, it's a perfect time to
work on teaching her how to redirect her energies
before she gets frustrated.
Step 2. Begin by gradually joining the activity, either by
playing with the child or by talking to her while
she is playing.
Step 3. Try substituting another toy or activity that you
know the child might easily become interested in.
This way, she will begin to learn how to redirect
from one activity to another.
For more information, see
Teaching Self-Quieting Skills to Toddlers
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