Advice for Parents: Listening Skills

ADVICE FOR PARENTS: LISTENING SKILLS

It is important that parents be good listeners so children will learn what they have to say has meaning. Often children don’t express their thoughts because they are surrounded by adults. However, when given an opportunity children are very purposeful in addressing personal matters and evolving friendships at school and in the neighborhood.

Here are some ways to encourage your children to communicate at home and to gain confidence in problem solving and conversation:

Be interested and attentive: Children know when you are paying attention. Forget about the telephone and other distractions and maintain eye contact to show you are really listening.

Encourage children to talk: Some children need an invitation to talk. Begin conversations with, “Tell me about your day.” Children are more likely to share ideas and feelings with others when they think they are being heard respectfully.

Listen patiently:

Because their vocabulary and experience are limited, it may take children longer to express themselves. Allow them to take their time.

Hear children out:

Avoid the temptation to jump to an opinion or reject what they have to say before they have finished speaking. Respect their right to have and express their opinion.

Look for nonverbal messages:

Listen to the tone and take note of his/her facial expressions, energy level and posture. Often you can tell more from the way a child says something than you can tell from what is said.

You don’t have to be a genius:

Children don’t necessarily expect you to have a solution to their current dilemma but they need to be heard. They will often work problems out for themselves or dismiss them once they have had a chance to verbalize their perspective.

Try to keep that communication door open as it will build confidence and trust as children become more self directed.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald

Interim Principal