Get a timer
Children often don’t understand the concept of time, so it could be a good idea to display a visual timer. You can show the timer to your child when doing a task or waiting for something, so it will help them understand the concept of time. Be sure to show a timer that doesn’t just count down, as children find this hard to follow. A great tool for this is something called Time Timer. Time Timer is one of the most popular visual timers available on the market. With an uncluttered interface, silent operation and optional audible alert this timer works great in almost any setting. http://www.timetimer.com/store/category/1/timers is fantastic.
To help your children cultivate patience, try to engage in slow paced activities with them such as games, art work or reading.
Engage in slow paced activities
To help your children cultivate patience, try to engage in slow paced activities with them such as games, art work or reading. Whatever the activity is, make sure it makes the children wait. Don’t make the waiting times too long that they are unbearable and they are able to wait until the very end.
Make it a rule
Children don’t understand grey areas, so it is important to be concrete about when and how to be patient. Let them know they need to find an activity when you’re on the phone or they have to wait until a certain time for the next snack.
Do a role-play
Doing a role-play of a character who shows patience is another great way to teach young children how to be patient. When they take on the persona and characteristics of another character, they feel as competent as the role they are playing. They can pretend to be their favourite character when doing a difficult task and their own challenge will be to be patient through it.
Tenille Bentley is the founder of The Emotional Literacy and Mindfulness Academy For Kids and the author of the children’s emotional literacy series. The Emotional Literacy Academy provides at-home programs to help nurture and develop children’s emotional literacy, building confident and calm children with empathy, compassion and the tools to feel safe with their emotions. Connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
