One fine summer day I was lucky enough to be in the south of England, visiting daughter Helen and her two boys. I think the elder must have been a little under four years old at the time. Our regular walk took place along a disused railway line and just before we reached a stone bridge over the Medway (always fun to stop and gaze at the water running by) we had the choice to go left or right. That particular day, we turned right so we could greet a couple of horses in their field and see if there were any blackberries to be picked.
The time came when we needed to head back. Helen didn't say a word about that. What she did was this: walking along, holding her boy's hand, she made a swinging 180 degree turn and voila, we were on our return journey! No comment or complaints from either of the children. Easy peasy.
All small children bear a strong urge to imitate. They pick up what they need from the actions, habits, ways of speaking and being, of the people around them. Sometimes, when they come into contact with other children, this isn't necessarily a good thing! But this urge is something we can consciously make use of, as in my example above. Even such a simple thing as sitting down at the dining table and folding hands together before saying grace will help a child be still and ready to eat the meal. So see where you can use imitation to help, teach, and guide your child.
