Encourage Them to Be a Good Listener
Ever tried having a conversation with your kid, only to realize you’re basically talking to a stuffed animal with WiFi? Yeah, me too. If you’ve ever thought, ‘Why does my child’s attention span make a goldfish look like a Zen master?’—this one’s for you. Let’s talk about raising a kid who actually hears more than the ice cream truck’s jingle.
Kids who learn to listen well build better empathy circuits (yes, actual brain highways!), develop stronger relationships, and are less likely to grow up into those adults who interrupt you every five seconds at meetings. Parents get the bonus of feeling like their kid might actually hear them someday when they say ‘please put on pants before leaving the house.’
How to do it
First, model good listening. Look your child in the eye and repeat back what they said, even if it’s something silly like banana peels. This shows them you’re paying attention and value their words.
Practice the "pause and wait" technique. Give your child a moment to finish speaking before you respond. This encourages them to express themselves fully and teaches patience in conversations.
Make listening fun by playing games such as "telephone" or "repeat after me." These activities help develop listening skills in an enjoyable way.
Most importantly, offer enthusiastic praise whenever you notice your child listening. Celebrate even brief moments of attention—think Oscar-worthy applause for a two-second focus!
Key Tips:
- Maintain eye contact to show you’re engaged.
- Repeat back what your child says to confirm you’re listening.
- Use playful games to reinforce listening skills.
- Always acknowledge and praise good listening, no matter how small.
