These Parents Can't Teach Kids to ListenTeaching Listening: How You Can Improve Attention and Respect at Home
By Jean Tracy, MSS
Parents, who don't listen, are the worst communicators. They can't teach listening skills. They can't model listening because they don't practice it.
If you talk more than you listen, you need the 70% Law of Communication. 70% is listening. 30% is talking.
Do your children turn you off soon after you open your mouth? Do you want your kids to listen?
Today I will share 5 habits for listening that you can use immediately. You can easily learn, practice, and model them on your kids too.
5 Listening Habits You Must Learn, Practice, and Model:
If you have trouble listening, it's time to work on your listening skills. Why? Because you are the parent. Your children will learn how to listen to you.
- Look at your child - eye to eye.
- Concentrate on what your child is saying.
- Remember the essential points.
- Paraphrase what you hear your child say.
- Ask your child questions to understand.
Activity for Family Listening
Post a 'Listening Habit of the Week' on your refrigerator. Practice that habit inside and outside your family. 'Catch your children being good' with a compliment when they listen well.
You learned how poor listening habits often come from how families talk and move. You found ways you can change that: model real listening, set a “listening signal” (look, nod, respond), hold short talks, give praise when your child listens well. You saw how improving listening brings better respect and communication in your home. You now hold a plan to help your child—and your whole family—listen better.