Listening to your young child is very important for the development of communication skills.
Very young children may not be using 'words' but it is vital to listen and respond to the gestures and sounds they make. Listening to you child helps them in so many ways:
- developmental insights: young children go through rapid developmental stages, understanding their thoughts, ideas, and concerns can provide parents with a deeper understanding of their child's individuality and unique needs.
- building trust and connection: listening attentively to young children demonstrates that their thoughts and opinions are valued and respected. It helps in building a strong foundation of trust and connection between parents and their children
- emotional wellbeing: listening to young children's feelings and emotions helps them to understand what they are feeling. It allows parents to empathise with their child's emotions and provide comfort. Active listening promotes emotional wellbeing and provides a safe space for children to express themselves freely
- language and communication skills: when parents attentively listen, children learn new vocabulary and effective ways to express their thoughts and ideas. This promotes their language development, strengthens their communication abilities, and prepares them for better social interactions
- strengthening self-esteem and self-confidence: actively listening to young children boosts their self-esteem and self-confidence
- parent-child bonding: listening to young children strengthens the bond between parents and their children. It creates opportunities for quality time together, shared experiences, and meaningful conversations
- setting a strong foundation for communication: when parents listen attentively to young children, it sets a positive example of communication. It teaches children the value of active listening, respect for others' perspectives, and open-mindedness.
Resources to support with listening
- The Role of Gesture - an article on the important role of gesture in communication
- Love My Books - free reading resources for parents
- Book Start - find out how to receive free books for your children
- The Reading Agency - information and resources on reading and books for children
- Tell me a Story - information about the importance of reading to children