10 Ways to Teach Children to be More Detail-Oriented

Anyone who has vaulted into a leadership position will tell you that success is in the details. But how do you teach this to your children who usually loathe life’s finer points? Here are 10 ways to teach your children to be more detail-oriented:

1. Model it for them

When parents are detail-oriented, their children will observe it and make it a part of their lives. This means paying attention to our driving habits, manners, and how we treat children and our spouses.

2. Work together with your spouse to plan parenting strategy

Develop a list for each child containing the details you would like them to model. Give them a target to aim for.

3. Always be on the same page with your spouse in parenting children

Husbands and wives must be on the same page and have the same goals for each of their children. Children will recognize when you are divided and they may conquer.

4. Praise your child when she takes care of small details (yes sir, please, thank you)

When you notice one of your children paying attention to details, praise them. A word of praise will do wonders for your children’s behavior.

5. Begin teaching at early age

The longer parents wait to teach their children to pay attention to details, the harder it will be later in life. Start by having them pick up all their toys and place them in specific places.

6. Use television shows and news stories to teach your children the importance of paying attention to details

In each television show and news story, something did or did not happen because someone paid attention to details or ignored them. Use these as opportunities to teach your children.

7. Use regular household chores as object lessons (i.e. changing an air filter, dusting the house, mowing grass)

When you are doing chores in the home like changing an air filter, dusting furniture etc., explain to your child how this one task helps the family.

8. Use children’s success and failures to talk about how details play into both

When a child is successful, take the time to point out how his success can be traced back to his attention to details. Failures can also be valuable tools for learning.

9. Post a rewards chart

Have a rewards chart posted somewhere in your home and, as children pay attention to details, put a star or check on the rewards chart. The chart should have a list of the specific details you want each child to pay attention to. When a category is full, reward the child and explain to her how proud you are.

10. Praise them in public

When your children consistently pay attention to details, be sure to praise them in front of family and friends. Their faces will light.

One thing we can do to help you get better at details is… I say this because…