Listening Activity for Parents and Children

 

1. Find at least one thing every day that you can affirm to your child.

• I really Apprecitate the way you...

• I was really impressed with the way you handled...

2. Try adding this exercise into your daily routine

• Tell me a good thing that happened to you today.

• Tell me about a not-so-good thing that happened to you today.

3. Have your child describe an event to you. Practice active listening

     by using the following phrases to reflect what your child is saying.

     It's kind of like being a mirror. The goal is to reflect back what was

     said without analyzing, judging, or adding more.

• It's like...

• You feel...

• You mean...

4. Teach your child how to listen reflectively in order to understand

     what you are saying. Start with simple ideas and progress as your

     child learns the skill of active listening. Some ideas to get you

     started are:

• Something I really like is that when you look out for your little sister...

• My greatest wish for you is...

• Something that really scares me is...

5. Spend time with your child doing something they have chosen to 

    do. Going for a walk through a mall together, taking the dog for a

    walk, or going for ice cream are all ways of encouraging 

    conversation.

 

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