The Collaboration for Early
Childhood Care and Education
Be Involved
Listen
The Collaboration for Early Childhood Care and Education
320 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone: 708-613-6122 Fax: 708-434-1259 info@collab4kids.org
Communication skills are a key indicator for a well-adjusted life. Parents who spend time talking with and listening to their children are making an important investment to equip their children for success.
A child feels valued and important when parents give their undivided attention to what they have to say. Listening to your child builds their confidence and strengthens their self worth. And parents gain valuable insights into their child’s ideas, fears, joys and questions.
Listening involves your body language, facial expressions, gestures and posture. If for example your arms are crossed, your eyes keep checking the clock, your face wears a scowl or you have your back to your child while you continue with your work valuable listening is not taking place. Your child will quickly get the message that you are not really interested in what they have to say and that they are not very important at that moment. In busy daily life it is not always possible to drop everything, sit on the floor and give your child your undivided attention. But it is important that you take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to stop, listen and enjoy your child.
Click on the links below for more listening tips.
