If our student aren’t talking or reading, they are listening – but listening and hearing are two different concepts. Listening is an active process that enables us to make sense and react to what we hear. Being a good listener means being interested in the speaker and we all know that students usually aren’t interested in the speaker – especially if it a teacher they hear everyday or a parent’s advise.
Today’s schools still contain many aspects of a traditional listening classroom. There is an interactive process of listening that involves many sides and necessitates a more complex comprehensive approach to help students with real-life listening.
Parents and teachers can begin to employ active listening skills at an early age simply by reading orally to children/students. Students can then begin to repeat story sequences, paraphrase, and reflect on what was read. Using pictures with stories can guide children to interpret body language and develop a more accurate understanding of a what the speaker is saying.
Developing active listening is central to effective communication. It is how messages are communicated, interpreted, or even misunderstood. In building a students listening skills, their attention span is increased. It develops their oral communication and the ability to express themselves easily, confidently, and clearly. Listening skills developes a natural curiosity and creatively. Students’ perspectives are expanded and appropriate social behavior is learned. According to a book The Lost Art of Listening by Dr. Nichols “Listening means taking in, not taking over.”
How to Listen
Strategies that help all students and children become better listeners begin with a teacher or parent saying something only once. If adults continuously repeat a statement, students become lazy listeners. Make eye contact and give them a listening task and let them discuss with other students.
Listening is probably our most important communication skill that requires concentration and mental participation. Ideas for middle school students can be found at http://teens.lovetoknow.com/listening-activities-middle-school.
As parents it is important ro demonstrate good listening skills and to let your child know that you are paying attention:
• Face your child when you are talking.
• Be patient and listen when he/she talks.
• Do not criticize him/her for expressing emotions or feelings.
• Let the child finish a story.
• Pay attention to body language.
Modeling and demonstrating good listening skills builds trust between parents and children and teacher and students. Listening doesn’t come naturally – it is a learned skill. With a majority of our time spent listening to speakers, teachers, parents, students, or to audio media we need to focus on hearing and not just listening. Communication skills are affected by the examples we see and hear. Reinforce a student’s or a child’s good listening skills when you see it happen. If you notice a problem, consult a physician. As adults, practice hearing everyday so you can be a model to students/children.
