Sometimes parents are not aware of how big a part behavior plays into learning, concentration, and attention. Children who are very self directed sometimes do not have tolerance for adult directed tasks. They are used to doing things their way and don't always respond well to adult intervention. They may try to avoid the task (avoidance) by running around or simply refuse to complete the task altogether. Parents must not give into a child's tantrum. If your child is tantruming because they did not get their way DO NOT reinforce this behavior by offering hugs, food, or drink. You child is not crying because they are hungry or thirsty, they are crying because they don't want to comply with current demands. The time to comfort your child is when they are being good or if they are sick or hurt.

Attention to task is an extreamly important skill your child must master for effective intervention, not to mention for their future success in school. Children of two years should be able to attend to an adult directed task for two minutes. The longer they can attend the better. To lengthen your child's attention span you have to work your way up. When you begin to engage your child in an activity and they want to start another one right away say, "Fine, but let's clean up first". This will help them lengthen their attention span. Or also if you and your child are into an activity and he or she wants to get up or leave ask them to do just "one more thing" before they leave.

Eye contact is an important component to communication. It marks the fact that your child is aware of communication. If children aren’t looking at the people speaking to them they are not fully aware the total communicative intent. Eye contact is important because it makes known of the fact that your child is looking at your face. Drawing attention to your face when talking also draws attention to your mouth and children begin to see how words are formed by looking at your mouth.