When guiding a student, there are several steps you need to take to make sure the student keeps listening as you outline a course of action.

Step 1. Get up close and on the same eye level as the child. You can even kneel below the child looking up to their eyes as you guide your child through a course of action.

Step 2. Keep focused on one outcome at a time. Talk about the personal benefits to the child. Do not mix several issues, high and low priorities, or keep bringing up past misdeeds. Rather, focus only on the present issue.

Step 3. Express confidence in the child s ability to achieve success. Let them know that they are capable and that it resides within them to accomplish the desired goal.

Step 4. Avoid using “How many times have I told you” or faulting the child for past performances. Always focus on the fact that it resides within them to accomplish the desired behavior.

Step 5. Look for the small growth steps the child makes as you chart your way toward success. Keep in mind that the child you are working with has few if any role models that are modeling the behaviors you want your child to exhibit.