One of the simplest parent tips
is one that is often overlooked because it is so obvious:
Listen to your children.
As the saying goes, there is a
reason we are given two ears and one mouth.
For parents it is tempting to
reverse the ratio and do more talking than listening. After all, there is so
much we want our children to learn and do. We are the source of much knowledge,
and there is a powerful urge to share it often.
And, of course, talking to
children is very good for them. It helps them acquire more of the subtleties of
language.
But children also need to talk
and to be heard.
When you listen carefully to
what children are saying, you send the clear message, “You matter to me. I care
about what you have to say. Your ideas and opinions are worthy of being heard.”
Those are powerful messages for
children to absorb.
The best advice is to slow
down, face your child, even get down to his level, wait, and listen carefully
to what he or she has to say.
Avoid the temptation to talk
over your children. Don’t finish their thoughts, even if their speech is
halting or they are searching for words. Let them find the words on their own,
or help with gentle prompting.
Don’t hurry your child to get
on with it. Be patient. The time you spend listening will bear long-terms
dividends for both of you.
