What to do if your child has poor hands-on ability

Under normal circumstances, children are lively and active, and they have rich imagination and stronger hands-on ability. However, some parents find that their children have poor hands-on ability, are usually slow to react, and do things slowly. Parents should not urge their children, but should guide them correctly. So, what should we do if our children have poor hands-on ability?

Why do children procrastinate?

1. A habit developed from childhood. Many children develop the habit of procrastination from childhood. They used to do things slowly and were not in a hurry at all. As time went by, they gradually developed the habit of procrastination.

2. No sense of time and inability to manage time. It is difficult for a child to have a correct concept of time and it is also difficult for him to arrange time properly when doing things. Reasonable use of time can greatly improve children's work efficiency.

3. Parents are too indulgent and this causes their children to do things slowly. Parents who dote on their children will take care of everything for their children, and the children can have everything they want without having to stretch out their hands for clothes and open their mouths for food. As a result, the children have no hands-on ability and will procrastinate when doing things because they are very unfamiliar with them.

Children are too slow, smart parents do this

1. If a child is slow in movements, this can be changed through games. Parents can often play some small competitive games with their children to help them improve their agility in the games. For example, games like competing to see who can eat faster or who can get dressed faster can inspire children's enterprising spirit. Children like to play, but if they play too much, they may feel bored. At this time, appropriate rewards should be given to encourage the child's "victory".

2. Children can compete with themselves. Parents can help their children design a "competition" score sheet, write down the initial time, and then record the actual completion time every day. If there is an improvement compared to the previous time, give a reward; if there is no improvement, remains the same, or regresses, no reward will be given. Parents can let their children start with simple and easy tasks, and gradually move on to more difficult tasks until the appropriate time. This method aims to shorten the time needed to complete each task and is a direct way to overcome slowness. During this period, parents should explain the meaning of scores to their children and stimulate their desire to make progress.

3. Parents can also use counting methods to urge their children to seize the time to complete something. The counting method is very simple and can be used at any time. Parents can explain it to their children in advance and tell their children to count to the number when they can complete a certain task. Then the parents ask the children to get ready, say "start", and start the timer. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5...", count while watching the child. In order to complete the task, the child will try to hurry up and finish the task. If the child is still slow at the beginning of counting, parents can deliberately count faster to make the child feel that time is almost up. If the child is still far away from the mark near the end, slow down the counting speed. Parents can tell their children that if they do things quickly, they should count slowly, so that the children have hope of finishing the task as soon as possible. If parents are always very clever in allowing their children to finish things when they are almost done, they can make their children feel successful. When the children complete the task, the parents can praise them for "great job" and "you have grown up again".

4. If praising your child is ineffective, you can use rigid rules to achieve the goal of changing his or her slow movements. Parents first estimate the time it takes for their children to complete a task to the best of their ability, and then require their children to complete the task within this time, otherwise they will not be allowed to continue doing it. Stop when the time is up. For example, when it’s time to eat, put away the food and say to your child, “I’m disappointed. I hope you can finish your meal on time next time.”

5. You can also improve the utilization of time by arranging time reasonably. In daily activities, you can make a schedule at home, and parents should set a good example by requiring children to follow the schedule, and praise them in time when they do.

6. Live a regular life, go to bed early and get up early, prepare for work, and leave enough time for your child to do what he should do. If you go out at 8 o'clock, you should wake up your child an hour in advance so that he has enough time to prepare. The more parents complain and blame, the more pressure on their children, and the slower they will move. Some preparations can be done the night before, such as paying attention to weather forecasts, preparing rain gear, children's toys, food, etc. Some things can be taught to children to do by themselves, and you have to believe that they can do it well.

7. Take away or avoid items that may distract children. Do not allow toys or other things to appear in his field of vision, and do not let him put on clothes while playing, so as to avoid developing a procrastination habit. You can play some lively and rhythmic music in the morning to speed up your child's movements unconsciously. Take some time to caress your child, and don't urge him or her harshly, saying, "Hurry up, or you'll be late again!" Instead, give your child a hug or words of encouragement. Children will cooperate better with adults as a result.

8. Set a time limit for your child to complete tasks such as dressing, washing, and eating. You can use a small alarm clock to remind and urge your child to make good use of his time. Have appropriate expectations for your child, but don't expect too much. Whenever you expect him to cooperate, give him more praise and encouragement. On weekends and holidays, you can let your children be more casual and relaxed, because everyone has this need.