| Listening is a valuable skill. The latest | | | | eye contact, and that he is calm and focussed |
| studies reveal that listening is a very large | | | | upon you. |
| part of school learning and is one of our | | | | |
| primary means of interacting with other | | | | . Keep your communication clear, not |
| people on a personal basis. It is estimated | | | | garbled, so you can be easily understood. A |
| that between 50 and 75 percent of students' | | | | parent who gives out mixed, often conflicting |
| classroom time is spent listening to the | | | | messages, causes confusion which may prompt |
| teacher, or other students, or to audio | | | | the child to 'switch off' because it takes |
| media. | | | | too much effort to try to understand. |
| | | | |
| Parents set a powerful example of good or | | | | . When you tell your child to do something, |
| poor communication. Parents who listen to | | | | ask him to repeat your instructions. |
| their children with interest, intention and | | | | |
| patience set a good example. The child who | | | | . Regularly read out loud to your child and |
| is able to listen picks things up and learns | | | | then talk with him in a conversation about |
| quicker than others. In class the child who | | | | what you have read. |
| does not listen gets things wrong, makes | | | | |
| silly mistakes, and often falls behind. | | | | Remember, communication is the most |
| | | | significant part of human interaction, |
| So, how can we as parents help our children | | | | andpeople who are good listeners are able to |
| to become good listeners? Here are a few | | | | discern and take in everything around them. |
| pointers. | | | | |
| | | | People who are good listeners are often good |
| . Cut out the 'noise' in your home. By | | | | at building rapport with others, avaluable |
| 'noise' I mean all the distractions that may | | | | skill for success, both in relationships and |
| be, and often are, present in many homes - | | | | in careers. It's amazing howmany people do |
| TV, computers, music. Such noise only serves | | | | not really listen when we are speaking to |
| to hinder good communication. | | | | them, but it's clear to uswhen somebody is |
| | | | making the effort to listen - and these |
| . Teach your child to maintain eye contact | | | | people stand out from therest. So let's give |
| when talking or listening to you. | | | | our children a head-start, and help them to |
| | | | develop a valuable skill. |
| . Before speaking to him, make sure you make | | | | |