Hello Parents,

It is important to recognize that the prefrontal cortex of your child is not yet fully formed. This specific section of the brain is responsible for managing executive functions, logic, and cognitive processes. Consequently, a mature prefrontal cortex is required for your child to completely comprehend and execute your directions.

Consider the example where you instruct your child to go and wash the plate. For that directive to make sense cognitively, the brain requires a level of maturity that is currently absent. It takes time to develop the capacity to interpret vague communication and process what you are attempting to convey, particularly because the PFC does not reach full development until a person is in their 20s.

Therefore, rather than raising your voice to say go and wash the plate, try explaining or deconstructing exactly what that task entails. You might specify, for instance, to wash, clean, and stack it in the rack. Similarly, instead of shouting at your child to stop running around, you could explain that the play is getting too rough and that it is time to take a break.

Please understand that your child is not intentionally trying to offend you, nor did they choose to disregard you. They are not deliberately failing to follow your instructions. Because they are operating with an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, it is normal for you to need to repeat instructions until they can assimilate the information. Extend grace to the child for this lack of skill, and remember that you were once a child yourself.