We’ve had a lot of fun learning self-control by practicing sitting still without moving for specific amounts of time. Start with 15 seconds, set each child on their own blanket and instruct them to look straight ahead and to not move. The first time you can count the 15 seconds out loud so they can hear their progress. Each time you practice increase the time until they can sit for four minutes without moving. Once four minutes is reached then add different temptations to try to get them to turn and look or move. Some examples are: stand behind the children and crinkle a candy wrapper or pretend to greet someone at the door. Have fun with it. It is amazing for a child to learn they do not have to look every time they hear something interesting or they don’t have to burst into laughter when someone acts silly in front of them. These practiced exercises will come back to help your child when they want to turn around in church or in a class and someone is acting like a goof. Knowing they possess the ability to practice self-control will benefit them in such times of temptation.
Excerpts from Kim S. Doebler’s book ESP Character Training.
Available for $14.99 at: ESPCharacterTraining.weebly.com or ESP Character Training, PO 247, Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539
ESP Training, Explain, Show & Practice by Kim S. Doebler, Learning Self-Control.
— Kim Doebler
Why not sit with them and read a book? Discuss what you see together?? Surely that's a better way of encouraging your child to listen and learn!!!! You don't want a child- you want a robot!!! Where children are interested, they will listen well and they will learn. A child's day should be busy- filled with activities and fun not staring at ANYTHING mindlessly just because you can't be bothered to parent.
Training children to sit still and stare at a blank wall? What about teaching them to enquire and be inquisitive about the world around them? Teaching them to look with interest and ask questions? Surely that’s what we want our children to do if we want them to learn?
They don’t have to stare at a blank wall, just straight ahead. This is useful for when they are trying to learn something in class or church etc. Yes, they ought to be inquisitive and ask questions but this trains them to focus on what’s important at that moment instead of turning to see why a baby is crying and then getting distracted by little Johnny kicking the chair in front of him and Mary crawling underneath to fetch her doll… all these distractions will steal away any learning that should be taking place but this training will prevent that.
very good reply! :0)
I can’t wait to try this with my kids. Thanks for posting this article.
Great advice Kim,I will definitely try this to train my little ones!
Great advice Kim,I will definitely try this to train my little ones!
Thanks Kim! I’ve updated the article with the correct price.
Thanks Kim! I’ve updated the article with the correct price.
The price for the book is $11.99 — just for clarification.
The price for the book is $11.99 — just for clarification.
What do you do if they DO respond to the distraction? Start the timer over?
I’m not talking about acting up and not obeying–just the training part.
What do you do if they DO respond to the distraction? Start the timer over?
I’m not talking about acting up and not obeying–just the training part.