My daughter is just starting to potty train and we are using visual controls to help us. However, what happens when Daddy doesn't wash hands the same way Mommy does?
Routine and standard work are very important when training.
Kids are young, creative, inventive and also ignorant of how to perform what we consider to be a basic task. For them to learn there needs to be a set way of doing something. After this is learned they can then add their "creative" twist on finding a "new" way to do it.
My wife K. and I were teaching her differently causing confusion.
K. and I hadn't communicated the standard way to wash hands so by doing things 2 different ways she was getting frustrated and unhappy. This of course caused me to be frustrated as well.
Communication and training for EVERYONE is important.
I know how to wash my hands several different ways however I had to be informed of how "We" as a team were going to help teach our daughter. Now that we all do it the same way and expectations are understood, the frustration is gone.
In many companies the managers and directors are often NOT on the same page causing confusion as well.
- How projects are assigned
- Promotions and pay raises
- Running meetings and general expectations
After the standard work is defined and taught then improvements can begin.
Already my daughter is checking to see if throwing the water in the air and splashing it around the sink will improve the cleanliness of her hands. I find it doubtful however I'm willing to allow some open experimentation and kaizen since now we are all a little happier with the process.
