“Listen like water, be tolerant like earth” – an ancient proverb affirms the importance of listening in life. And for children, listening skills play a crucial role in their comprehensive development. It helps children learn, communicate effectively, build good relationships, and become valuable members of society. So how to teach children effective listening skills? Let’s explore the secrets from experts!
1. Listening – The Doorway to the World of Knowledge
Listening skills are not simply hearing with the ears, but also actively receiving information, analyzing, processing, and responding. Children learn many things from listening:
1.1. Enhance Knowledge & Develop Thinking:
Listening is the most effective way for children to absorb knowledge from parents, teachers, friends, and the world around them. When listening, children learn to analyze information, reason, draw conclusions, and develop logical thinking. The more they listen, the richer their knowledge base, and the more imaginative they become.
1.2. Cultivate Effective Communication Skills:
Listening is key to building good relationships. When children know how to listen, they will understand what others are saying, thereby providing appropriate responses, creating empathy and understanding. Listening skills help children avoid arguments, misunderstandings, and contribute to harmony in relationships.
1.3. Develop Positive Character Traits:
Listening is a skill that helps children develop patience, concentration, and respect for others. When children know how to listen, they feel loved, trusted, and respected. This helps children become confident, optimistic, and develop positive character traits.
2. Secrets to Teaching Children Effective Listening Skills
“Teach children when they are young,” training listening skills for children should start early. Here are some secrets to help you:
2.1. Set a Good Example:
According to education expert Pham Thi Mai, author of the book “Raising Smart Children,” parents are a mirror for their children. When parents know how to listen, children will learn to listen. Take time to listen to your children talk about their lives, thoughts, and aspirations. Show your children that you care about what they say, give them attention, and respond positively.
2.2. Create a Safe Listening Space:
Create a comfortable and safe space for your children to freely share their thoughts and aspirations. When children are talking, put down your phone, turn off the TV, and give them your full attention. Make your children feel heard and respected.
2.3. Practice Active Listening:
Play games with your children that require concentration and listening, such as:
- “Look, Listen, Speak”: Parents describe an activity, object, or event. Children close their eyes, listen, and try to remember the information. Then, they open their eyes and retell what they heard.
- “Guess the Intention”: Parents express an emotion or tell a story, and children try to guess what parents want to convey.
2.4. Encourage Children to Ask Questions:
Active listening is not just about receiving information, but also about asking questions to better understand the content being conveyed. Encourage children to ask questions when listening to someone speak. This helps children focus, grasp information, and be proactive in communication.
2.5. Praise & Encourage:
Give praise when children demonstrate effective listening skills. Praise helps children feel encouraged and motivated to learn more.
3. A Story About Listening Skills:
Once upon a time, there was a very active boy named An. An was talkative, often teased his friends, and never listened to adults. One day, An was scolded by his mother for breaking a vase. An was sulky, argued back, and went out to play.
An walked along the road and encountered a bird chirping sadly. Curious, An approached to see. The bird told him that it had been chased by a cat and lost its tail feather. After listening, An helped the bird find its lost tail feather.
After searching for a while, An finally found the tail feather. An happily returned it to the bird. The bird thanked An and flew away.
An returned home, feeling happy inside. At this moment, An suddenly remembered his mother’s scolding. An felt remorseful for not listening to his mother. An decided to apologize to his mother and promised to try to listen to her more.
From then on, An learned that listening is not only a necessary skill for effective communication, but also a way to show gratitude and respect to those around him.
4. Conclusion:
“Teaching children listening skills” is not just about teaching children how to receive information, but also about helping children develop patience, concentration, and respect for others. Spend time, care, and love to teach children effective listening skills, helping them become valuable members of society.
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