The Benefits Of Active Listening With Children

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Communication is a key factor in any relationship, especially those with children. Active listening is a communication skill that can bring greater connection, clarity and understanding to build positive relationships with children. Children and young people are able to quickly recognize who really listens and cares about them and who isn't. Adults who work with children tend to be very busy. Therefore they may be distracted whilst a child it trying to share something with them; they may think of their workload, fidget, look around at the other children, rehearse their ready answer to the child's question, interject before the child finished expressing themselves etc. All of these things, done even just once, can cause misunderstandings and …show more content…

Active listening is a skill that can be learned and practiced. The following points may be useful:

1. Eye contact - by looking at a child or a young person you can show them that they have your full attention. This may also involve stopping what you are doing (e.g. writing, using a computer) moving away from a busy place or letting the child know you want to listen and will give them your full attention when you finish (e.g. when caring for another child). Sometimes you may notice that the child is looking away during the conversation, which may mean that they are about to say something uncomfortable for them.

2. Body language - the communication between us and other people is based on verbal and non-verbal types of communication. Interestingly, only 7% of what matters is verbal, and an overwhelming 93% percent non-verbal. The non-verbal component is made up of body language (55 percent) and tone of voice (38 percent). So if you say to the child 'sure I care about you' with your arms crossed and looking ahead of you, it may not come across very positive. Even very small children are able to recognize that. On the other hand if you come down to the child's level, look them in the eye and smile whilst saying 'sure I care about you', that will come across very positive, sending a signal that you care and are ready to listen. Also nodding and smiling to the child is very

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