Benefits of Active Listening for Children's Self-Esteem
There are substantial benefits to our children's self-worth and self-esteem through active listening when parents model active listening at home.
Active listening it is a communication deficit in most of our lives. It is no fault of our own. In elementary school, students learned the three RRRs - reading, writing, and arithmetic, but not to listen. Yes, we had tests to diagnose hearing impairments, but nothing else.
Growing up, teachers frequently instructed us to listen in class but did not give us the tools and training to learn and implement the skill. I modeled listening from my mother. She is a good listener and very empathetic. For me, active listening is both nurture and nature. It is a gift. Then, I honed it by reflecting on my mother's behavior, building the foundation of my active listening.
There are substantial benefits to our children's self-worth and self-esteem through active listening when parents model active listening at home. As I mentioned, my mother was an example for me. I was confident and comfortable socializing with people of all ages at an early age. It was natural for me. I was curious about others, respected their differences, and longed to live in a harmonious society that celebrated everyone.
When parents actively listen to their children, it promotes social skills, elevates a child's confidence, emphasizes their opinions matter, and lays the foundation for individual thinking.
By teaching the basics of listening to children at an early age, especially active listening, we set them up for more fulfilling and productive lives. They can relate to others empathetically, build stronger relationships, learn conflict resolution, and how to value and respect themselves and others. These indispensable communication skills forge healthy communities, nations, and societies.