While reading our Meditations Devotion for today, I felt a need to repeat what I read, but apply it to you as parents and us as teachers. The writer said, “Listening is work. It is an agreement between the speaker and the listener, where each one assumes a primary responsibility in the conversation. A successful conversation is as much the responsibility of the one doing the listening as the one doing the speaking.”
As we grow close to another year of school whether it is with a three year old or a Senior in High School, it is our responsibility and privilege as adults to teach and reinforce the listening ability of our children. Help them look you in the eye when you are speaking. Look at them when you are talking. Listen to them when they are speaking. Please don‘t assume they are statues when you speak about them to others. They are listening,, especially then, and can be very hurt by careless remarks. Have them repeat what you have said to them. Give them a rationale for what you are expecting such as. “When you listen to me and your teachers you will learn more and your day will go better.” Set them up for success as they begin a new year by nurturing their ability to listen every day. You will give them an “edge” as they grow in their academics for this life, but more importantly as they grow in their understanding of God’s Word for this life and the next.
Written on Monday, 15 August 2011 18:01 by Barb Uecker