Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

04-19-2022

Set an Example to Teach Your Child Listening Skills

Listening is not a school subject—but it is very important for success in school. Children spend more than half of their time in school listening.

Listening doesn't come naturally to everyone. But it's a skill that can be learned. Research shows that good listeners know how to focus their attention and then review important information.

To help your child become a better listener:

Be a model. Children know when you're paying attention to them. So forget the phone and the screens. Maintain eye contact. Show that you are focusing on what your child is saying.
Encourage your child to talk. Some children need an invitation to speak up. You might say, "Tell me about your day. What did you learn about in science?"
Listen patiently. Even adults think faster than they speak. Children can take even longer to find just the right word. Listen as though you have plenty of time.
Listen to nonverbal messages. Children will send messages with their tone of voice or their energy level. Look also for changes in your child's behavior. These signs may give you a clue that you need to ask deeper questions.
Restate important things your child says to confirm your understanding.
Look for signs that it's time to end the conversation. When your child starts to give silly answers, stare into space or ask you to repeat what you've said, it's probably time to stop.

Brought to you by:

Webster County Schools

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