Listening part of learning

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 249, 5 July 1988, Page 5

Listening part of learning

Listening is a very important part of any Interchange or conversation. Do you have these skills? This is the second article written by Alison Anderson, Speech/ Language Therapist. Are you a good listener? When was the last time you listened to what your child was saying? Did you simply grunt and turn the TV up or go back to reading the paper or whatever you were doing? Or did you comment on what they were saying, or ask questions and so encourage the child to keep talking? In any conversation we play the roles of both speaker and listener. We take turns so that when one person is talking the other listens and vice versa. A 'good listener' keeps the conversation going by: looking interested; by facing the speaker; by maintaining eye contact; by commenting on what the other person has said; by asking questions and by saying things such as "uh-huh" or "oh really". These all show the other person that you are taking in and have understood what he/she is saying and so the conversation will continue. On the other hand you can easily stop somebody from talking by yawning; by looking away; by looking bored; by interrupting, or by changing the subject. By giving directions and commands you are also discouraging further conversation. This is why it is important to look at how you talk to your children. If you are only ever asking questions that require a yes/no or one word answer, or only ever telling your children to do things, your child will not have the opportunity to express himself using full sentences so that you are in fact preventing his language from developing any further. By being a good listener you actively encourage language development. Children also have to learn how to listen. You can teach them from a very young age by singing to them, by

saying nursery rhymes and later by encouraging them to join in and say them with you; by reading stories and by telling stories. Using picture books with very young children you can point out various things in the pictures and encourage him/her to point out the things that you name. When playing with your children, occasionally say something completely absurd to check that they are listening. When playing with plastic animals, you could say "here's the elephant" when you are in fact holding the pig. The child will be quick to tell you of your error and at the same time is encouraged to tell you what you have got so that you are actively encouraging and helping his language a n d

listening skills develop. Check that your children are able to listen to and follow a sequence of directidns. By the time children reach school they should be able to follow a series of three or four verbal directions. Much of a child's success at school is directly due to his/hcr listening and concentration skills and verbal ability. By making sure your child has these skills from an early age you are doing much to ensure success later on. Listening is a skill that we all have t o learn and work at improving. By being a good listener you can encourage your children to say more, use more complex sentences and generally increase their language skills.