During these busy holiday times, it is especially difficult for us to take our time as parents, slow down, and listen to our children when they speak. Active listening skills can be developed - it just takes your desire to want to do it. I love this quote from Catherine M. Wallace on today’s blog because I believe it is so true. Listen to your children today and show them you love them so that when they grow up, you will always be considered as a parent to talk to.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have some very important information on their website about parenting and developing the skills of active listening with your children.
Active listening is one of the most important ways to build a close and loving relationship. Here are some of the active learning skills that the CDC recommends:
Stop what you are doing and focus your attention exclusively on your child.
Engage in eye contact when speaking.
Get down to your child’s level physically. If your child is sitting down, sit down too.
Reflect or repeat back what you understand your child to be saying to make sure that you completely understand it.
Don’t worry about getting things wrong. It is more important that you are listening and trying to understand.
On this website, the CDC gives examples of active listening skills so you can read for yourself and get suggestions. Please visit it to learn more: CLICK HERE.