Guide: How to Give Directions So Toddlers Listen the First Time Around!

Did you know that toddlers don’t fully understand the concept of “no” or “don’t” until around age 3? (American Speech & Hearing Association ASHA)

Research shows that toddlers struggle to process negation, meaning when you tell your 2-year-old, “Don’t touch that!”they’re only hearing the second part of the sentence! This could explain why toddlers often treat our warnings as invitations instead of following our directions.

As a toddler mom and a speech-language expert specializing in toddler communication, I understand how frustrating this can be. But here’s the good news: There’s a simple solution! You can make one small change in how you give directions that will help your toddler understand exactly what you want them to do—and even respond the first time!

If you're a parent of a toddler looking for expert advice on how to get your toddler to listen and improve their toddler language development, this FREE guide is exactly what you need!