Rules are taught to children from a young age. This is done initially to keep them from getting hurt. But, as babies age into toddlers, more rules are put into place so that toddlers know the behaviors that are acceptable and those that are not. It is through rules that right and wrong are learned, according to Be Strong International. This is why at this age toddlers push the boundaries by not following rules constantly to see just how far they can go before consequences are received. That is something that parents do not really want to give to toddlers. This is why parents work to help toddlers to follow the rules.

Rules serve to give toddlers' lives a sense of structure, according to Parenting. This structure helps to prepare little ones for the real world where there are rules everywhere to keep society safe and orderly.

It teaches toddlers that there are consequences when rules are not followed much in the same manner as what they would face if they did not follow the laws of society. And because of this, the earlier that toddlers are able to follow the rules, the less of a power struggle there will be both when they are young and as they age.

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Here is how to teach toddlers to follow the rules.

Make Eye Contact

Making eye contact with toddlers ensures that they are paying attention and comprehending what is being said to them. As such, eye contact should be practiced frequently to begin the skill of locking eyes to communicate that there is an understanding of the conversation at hand.

According to CBC, when young children make eye contact, they are non-verbally expressing that they are paying attention and listening intently to what is being said.

By catching toddlers' eyes, parents know that toddlers are not focused on anything other than the conversation being had. With the hope being that rules will not have to be repeated several times, given that direct focus was had on the part of parents and toddlers alike.

Give Simple Instructions

There are times that toddlers are not following the rules because too many commands are being given to them at one time or the language that is being used is not understood, according to Teach Me To Talk.

As such, the simpler the instructions are for rules, the better the chances are that they will be followed.

When words do not have meaning to toddlers, per the publication, they simply ignore them. They are not trying to be disobedient or ignore their parents. They hear the talking.

It is just not completely being comprehended. As such, the fewer the words to instill rules in the house, the easier they will be to enforce knowing toddlers are aware of the meaning of what is being said.

Keep Language Direct

When explaining what rules need to be followed, parents should not have long, drawn-out conversations about what is expected of toddlers. Instead, the more direct and to the point that parents can be, the better the chances that rules will be followed the first few times around.

Have Toddler Repeat The Instruction

A great way to see if toddlers truly understand what is being asked of them is to have them repeat back what was said.

According to eMedicineHealth, having young children repeat back what was said to them can improve communication overall. It allows little ones to speak back what it is that they heard and to see if it differs from the rule they were told.

If spot on, then no need to go any further. If there was something lost in translation then perhaps the rules need to be communicated differently.

Ask Toddler If They Need Clarification

Before parents can enforce rules, they need to make sure that toddlers understand what they were told. And a great way to do this is to ask if they need clarification or have any questions.

By ensuring that toddlers understand what has been communicated to them, there is no excuse for why rules are not being followed. Does this mean that rules will be followed correctly right off the bat? Perhaps not.

But knowing there is a comprehension of what was discussed allows for simple reminders of the rules in place and the consequences that come with them if not followed.

Source: Be Strong International, Parenting, CBC, eMedicineHealth