5.3 – Ignore where you can – feedback
How did you get on with the scenarios? Here are some ideas you could use for each of them.
| Scenario | What do you do? What do you say? |
|---|---|
| 1. Omar the Terrible | Ignore Omar’s face and noise. Turn away from him and don’t react at all. When Omar stops, acknowledge him immediately and say you love his lovely face and smile. Omar might need help to do what you ask him so you can show him, for example: “Let’s see how many bricks we can put into the box.” |
| 2. Ruby the Rebel | Ignore Ruby completely. Move away from her preferably into another room. When Ruby stops whining talk to her as soon as possible and smile. Ask her if she can think of a programme that she would like to watch later or tomorrow. Ask Ruby if she would like to draw a picture or help you to check if the food is cooked. |
| 3. Angry Felix | Repeat to Felix that it is time to come in, then walk away from him. As soon as he comes in say, “Thank you for coming in”, smile at him and make conversation, for example: “Have you had a nice time playing? Maybe you would like to have your friends round tomorrow?” |
| 4. Teenage Josie | Josie’s stropping and eye rolling, albeit incredibly annoying, isn’t going to kill anyone! Ignore it and get on with what you are doing. Remind yourself it’s a phase and give her attention. Make conversation with her and smile at her when she is being more pleasant. You might feel like pulling a face at her and saying “Whatever” – but that is modelling exactly the behaviour that you do not want to see from Josie! Well done – Ignoring is difficult, but effective! If we can learn to ignore bad behaviour and praise well for good behaviour we will be reinforcing the message to our children that they will get attention – but for being good! |
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