Why listening is important!

Saturday, March 18, 2017 Vishaal 0 Comments

A wise, old owl sat on an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Why can’t we all be like that bird?
 
The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno said that we have been given one mouth and two ears that we may hear more and talk less.

As parents and caregivers we are often so focused on imparting knowledge and giving direction, that we forget that it is equally important to listen to our children. 

Listening is important because it affects the way children see themselves. When adults listen to children it gives their words and feelings value. 

Listening is about two-way communication between adult and child - each valuing and respecting the views of the other. 

Children who are listened to are usually well adjusted and self-confident. 

Child abuse and listening to children

Every child has the right to be loved and cared for and to feel safe both at home and away from home. Children often try to tell adults if they have experienced abuse but it is very difficult and painful for them. They often feel ashamed and frightened and find it hard to find the right words to explain.

As adults we can make things easier for children by recognizing when a child is trying to talk about a difficult subject. We should get into the habit of listening to children so that they feel comfortable talking to us about their worries.

By building a trusting relationship with a child you will make it easier if he or she needs to tell you something that is hard to talk about.
 

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