This behavior is "do ME" behavior. It doesn't have anything to do with information gathering. It's a learned behavior to get you to engage HIM. Sometimes they are trying to secure future rights to something but mostly it's a way for you to engage him. The why's or what's are "terms of engagement".

So first you need to quit adding words to your prompts:

Say "Clean toys now" instead of "it's time for us to clean up toys"

Me: "Okay lets clean up our books"
DCK #1: "What are we doing next ?" (still hasn't cleaned up a thing)
YOU: CLEAN UP BOOKS

DCK#2: "We are taking a nap right ? Can I sleep next to Ella ?"
YOU: CLEAN UP BOOKS

DCK #3: "Can I bring my cow to nap ?"
YOU: CLEAN UP BOOKS

Me: Okay, lets throw our plates in the trash and put our cups in the sink

DCK: Can I get Thomas the Train out when I am done ?
You: Throw plates in trash. Put cup in sink.

Then after they have Clean up books... throw plate in trash... put cup in sink... then I would have a sit down ... transitional quiet time for about three to five minutes.

Then go to the next thing.

Reply