By 5 Things Children Who Listen Do Differently With Their Parents
May 28, 2021
Are you often impressed by children who hear well … but secretly wonder how their parents did this?
As a parent, you strive to teach your children skills that will benefit them in adulthood. Among these life lessons are learning to communicate efficiently and how to be a good listener. They interact with their parents and acquire other valuable skills.
Did you know that your children’s hearing started before they were born? An article published by Pregnancy, birth and baby shares that from 18 weeks, a fetus can hear the many sounds of life from its mother’s body. In 12 more weeks, he claims that the article can recognize sounds and voices from outside the womb.
Do children have an advantage when they hear their parents’ voices in the womb? According to an article published by the American Association for Advancement of science, studies suggest that fetuses can learn to recognize words before birth. Brain studies show that unborn babies can also be receptive to music.
Teach your kids good listening skills
As you hold that bundle of joy in your arms, they’ve already had a boost at the audition. Now, you can help them develop skills to become a good listener. These are some of the most effective ways to teach your children how to be good listeners.
1. Be a good role model
You are your child’s first and foremost influencer, and they will generally emulate your leadership. So if you want kids who are good listeners, you have to be a good listener yourself. The next time they chat with you, see how well you listen to and interact with them.
You can teach your child good manners and listening skills by not interrupting him when he is talking to you. They will respect that and do the same for you and others. Be aware of how you are speaking to your children and allow them to follow your example.
2. Offer praise and encouragement
It is easy for parents to quickly point out the things that their children do wrong. Children need loving guidance from you to correct their behavior. However, they also need your praise when they are doing the right thing.
When you listen and observe your children using good listening skills, let them know how proud they are. Try saying something like, “Hey, I like the way you listen to your little brother and how you care about what he has to say.”
Words of praise You can encourage your child to continue good behavior and make it a habit.
3. Use story time for learning moments
One of the easiest ways to teach your younger children to listen is to read books together. Even young children enjoy sitting with you to look at pictures and listen as you tell an exciting story. Find books and tell funny stories that match your age and attention span.
After you’ve shared the story, talk about it. Not only will you get valuable information about their opinions, but you will also notice their listening skills. Another benefit is that you are helping foster a love of reading that will follow them into adulthood.
4. make listening to a fun game
You can also promote good listening skills by playing games, especially with younger children. Assemble the gang and play the classic game of “Telephone”. Gather in a circle and begin by whispering a funny statement into a child’s ear.
Then that child whispers what you said into someone else’s ear and repeats it until it reaches you. Everyone will probably laugh at how the statement was heard and misinterpreted. Discuss the fact that some errors were caused by not hearing whispers well, while others may not hear well. How could this work in real life?
5. Provide simple instructions
Children who listen do better when you tell them what to do rather than what not to do. For example: “Joey, stop running down the stairs!” it is a mandate without reason to be. Provide clear instructions on the behavior you expect. “Joey, please be careful and don’t run when you come down the stairs as I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Even your teens can be more receptive when you provide positive guidance and direction. For younger children, divide the directions into smaller portions so they don’t get overwhelmed. Your children will learn what you expect and will also learn to listen.
Sometimes children don’t try to be disobedient. If you smother them with too many instructions at once, they can go off. Take into account their age and the requested task, as it will help with parent-child communication.
Your little ones will help you fold their clothes. Now tell them what to put in each drawer and what to put on a hanger. While they wait for the next instruction, they are also practicing better listening.
Five benefits of having children who listen
Have you ever heard other parents complain that their children don’t listen to them? There is a difference in the way that good listeners and their parents interact with each other. Here are five things these kids do differently with their parents.
1. They learn better active listening skills
While some people are naturally more sociable than others, good active listening skills must be learned. Children who are practicing being better listeners will also acquire active listening skills. They observe how their parents use open body language and reflect the speaker’s emotions.
based on age appropriate communication skillsTeach your children how to put what others say into their own words. Show them how important it is to ask questions if they don’t understand. Repeating and clarifying are active listening skills that help minimize misunderstandings.
These young people try not to interrupt as they absorb the conversation. These vital tools will help them in school and later in life as working adults. They can also have better relationships with other family members, friends, and their future companions.
2. They could be more obedient
“Hey, did you pick up your books from the table like I asked?” “No, I didn’t hear you.” Sound like a family conversation at home? Although your children claim that they do not listen to you, the fact is that they often do not listen to you.
When your children listen well, they learn what is expected and you will get better results. Keep in mind that no child is perfect and that every child has a stubborn nature that you must consider. However, helping them develop better listening skills can create a better line of communication between parents and children.
3. They learn to be more empathetic
Another crucial life skill that parents teach their children is empathy or how to relate to other people’s feelings. It is not an automatic ability that they are born with and requires that they learn gradually from birth to adulthood. When your children see and hear that you are empathetic to them and to others, you are a strong example.
According to an article published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, it is helpful to use examples of empathy. “How do you think Jenny felt when you called her?” It makes the child think and consider the feelings and opinions of other people.
4. They communicate better with other adults.
Some children are naturally shy or do not speak much. However, children who are good listeners can learn to communicate better with other children and adults. If they have questions or problems, they learn to express them at home, at school, and in public.
Of course, you don’t want your kids to get into conversations with strangers. But as you teach them more about trusted adults, they too will learn to use them as good role models.
Isn’t it frustrating when you try to chat with your kids and they shrug or mutter something that is supposed to say, “I don’t know”? It is often expected during the turbulent teenage years. Even then, you can model good listening skills for them to use.
5. Learn more family history and life skills
Do you know a lot about your family’s history and culture? If you do, you probably got a lot of this information from listening to your parents, grandparents, and other older family members. Children need learn about their respective cultures have a connection to the past.
Children who listen to their elders also gain valuable knowledge and life skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. When you’re doing things around the house like cooking, repairing, or enjoying a hobby, share it with your kids. This is how life skills are passed from one generation to the next.
Try to create as many opportunities as you can for your children to listen and learn. Spend time with grandparents and other relatives who are a rich source of family history and culture. As your children listen, they gain a better understanding of cultural identity and family pride.
Final thoughts on children who listen to their parents
Teach your children to be good listeners It is something you will never regret. It will not only improve communication at home, but it will also benefit them in the outside world. They will always be grateful that you have been a good example for them, and these valuable skills may be taught to their children one day.
