Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

11-19-2021

Learn to Be an Active Listener

During adolescence, teens often begin talking more with friends and less with parents. But your teen needs to know that you are there to listen, too. One of the best ways to show this is to use a technique called active listening.

Here’s how:

Make time to listen. Create opportunities to talk with your teen. The best times to talk are when there aren’t many distractions.
Concentrate on your teen. Listen carefully to what he says. Try to put yourself in his shoes to better understand his point of view.
Restate what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding. If your teen says, “I have a really hard history test tomorrow,” say, “It sounds like you might be worried about doing well.”
Show your interest. Nod and look your teen in the eye. It also helps to use neutral phrases such as “Oh” and “I see.”
Avoid being judgmental. Show respect for your teen’s ideas, even if you don’t agree with them.

Brought to you by:

Webster County Schools

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