"Are you listening to me?" How many times have you asked your child that very thing? It may seem like you say things a thousand times, and your child still never hears you. Truth be told, they may be hearing you; they're just not listening to you. Not sure how to accomplish that feat? Well, listen up.{relatedarticles}There are ways to make your child a better listener. For starters, it's important to remember the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Children emulate our actions. Think about it - are you a good listener? Children follow the examples that have been set for them. So becoming a good listener yourself is one of the most effective things you can do to instill the same skills in your children. When someone is talking, do your best not to interrupt. Wait until that person has finished speaking before you begin. When your children or other family members are speaking, show a genuine interest and be attentive while they talk.
It needs to be more than just a front or else they'll know you aren't listening. When your child is speaking, let him take his time. Don't cut him off or be short. It may take him longer to communicate what he has to say. And that's OK. There are other exercises you can partake in with your children that will also improve their listening skills. Read a book with your child and make sure he comprehends what is written.{relatedarticles}Ask him questions about the passages intermittently. Encourage your child to make eye contact with a person when speaking. If you're speaking to your child, occasionally ask him to repeat what you've said to ensure that he's paying attention. Another idea is to take turns making up stories and quizzing each other about the details. When it comes to listening, a little bit of guidance will go a long way in fine-tuning your children's skills.