Teach Your Kids Listening Skills

[Guest guest]

Teach Your Kids Listening Skills

 

by Jodie Lynn ( parenting/family expert )

 

Ask any teacher (or even any parent) what their No. 1 complaint is and I'm

pretty sure it will be the stress associated with the lack of listening skills

in their students and kids. It isn't anything new. Nevertheless, it seems to be

getting worse.

The lack of listening skills is a major challenge in the classroom and at home.

It's the cornerstone for developing interpersonal relationships, and it's one

of the most neglected skills in teaching environments. It's the other half of

good verbal skills. It completes the cycle of communication, and it begins as

early as two years of age.

Your two, three, four and five year-old may have just started some type of

educational program or even a new activity for the very first time. Practice a

few things to do in class and in the home now that will help them get off on

the right foot. More importantly, you can watch as you teach your child these

things and you will see them gain confidence in honing this new skill.

1. Teach them how to listen. Demonstrate why it's necessary for good

communication with others. Make it fun and try a new game: tell them to talk,

sit down and be quiet. Talk, sit down and be quiet. Talk, sit down and be

quiet. Do it with them with about five seconds in between. Move it to 10

seconds and then 15. Giggles are allowed! It's repetition for this age group

that helps them to learn a skill.

2. Make another game using a favoUrite doll or action figure. Storytelling is

one of the very best ways to practice this skill. Let the doll or action figure

tell a story. Then let the child practice by holding the item and let them tell

a story. When you talk, show them how to listen. When they talk, show them how

you are quiet and pay attention. Take turns repeating the story to each other

to test their skills -- keep it fun.

3. Read to your child. This interaction teaches how to listen and helps practice

the process while ensuring the child has an amusing experience. Before you

begin, tell the child that you are going to zip their lips and then pretend to

do it. Tell them you are going to lock the zipper and throw away the key. When

they want to say something, get the pretend key and unlock the pretend lock and

unzip the pretend zipper and let them talk. Of course, to be sure that they get

it; they will want to zip and lock your mouth, and then unlock and unzip it

too.

4. Encourage good listening skills. Try some of the following:

a. Establish a purpose for the communication.

b. Always have good eye contact by getting down on their level

while talking.

c. Try to speak about an interesting or favorite topic.

d. Try not to stop what is being said for interruptions unless there is a question about it.

e. Offer nonverbal and verbal responses.

f. Divide listening and talking roles.

g. Pay close attention to what is being said, offer an opinion on it, and don't

scream, holler or yell (or they will do it to you).

h. Ask the child to repeat what you have already talked about, but do so without drilling.

i. Don't forget to be attentive when they are talking as well; remember to be a good role model.

Even if your child is not entering school or childcare, begin teaching them

listening skills anyway. It's a good idea to get started on this as soon as

possible. If you do, interaction and communication in playgroups, home, play

dates, school, and in many other places will be less stressful and more

productive in the end. Childcare providers, camp directors, teachers, coaches

and other parents will love you for it, guaranteed.

www.parenttoparent.com

Duty is God, Work is Worship

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram Madhviji,

 

Thank you so much for sharing this article. As we are planning to run workshops

for the parents very soon, any further articles you may have on 'parenting

skills' would be very much appreciated.

 

With Sai love,

 

brother Paresh

 

 

MadhviSai (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote:

Teach Your Kids Listening Skills