Talking & Listening

Practice, model listening skills with your child for school success

Studies show that children spend more than half their time in school listening to the teacher, other students and other media. Clearly, helping your child develop listening skills can help him do better in school.

When you listen with interest, attention and patience, you set an example that shows your child how to develop listening skills. Here are some tips:

• Pay attention when your child is speaking. Look at him. As you model good listening, you are showing your child how to listen in school.
• Restate what your child has said. Or have him restate what you have said. This will help your child focus on what the speaker is saying.
• Don’t interrupt. Don’t allow your child to interrupt, either. It’s rude. And people who are getting ready to interrupt are not listening to what the speaker has to say.
• Ask your child questions about what he has said. Encourage your child to ask polite questions, too.

Reprinted with permission from the December 2006 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2006 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Carl Smith, “How Can Parents Model Good Listening Skills?” Focus Adolescent Services, www.focusas.com/ListeningSkills.html.