Why is my child not listening to me? I just mentioned what they must do and they didn’t listen. I am so tired of saying the same thing over and over. “Maybe they didn’t hear me?” So, you ask again nicely. Nothing but crickets.
“Most children tend to be “hard of listening” rather than “hard of hearing.” Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. Listening, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences.
Children who are good listeners can understand and perform tasks better. Good behaviour is shown because they are not distracted and attentively listening. Good listeners have better communicating skills as they listen to others points of views, rather than trying to get in every word themselves. They also demonstrate better memory retention, as they make connections faster and less information is missed.
How can you improve your child’s listening skills at home?
1. Have face to face conversations, where you get on their eye level. Look at their eyes and body language. Demonstrate the appropriate body language when listening.
2. Reduce outside or background noises. When giving your child instructions or tasks, make sure that there are no competing sounds such as loud music, television, other people talking, electronics or toys.
3. Ask your child to repeat what you have instructed or asked. This is a very good indication of what they have processed.
4. Be a better listener ourselves and role model it. We cannot expect our children to learn to listen if we do not give them our undivided attention when they are talking to us.
5. Try to do away with “don’t” and tell your child what to do instead. This eliminates confusion as to what they can do.
6. Look for reasons to say “yes.” If your answer is always no your children will stop listening to your requests.
7. Comprehension tasks are a great way to force children to listen. The more they practise, the better they will get.
How do you teach listening skills at home?
