027: How To Receive So Children Share, The Gift Of Listening

Do you know that the best way to build a strong relationship with the child is to listen to them? But do we know how to listen?   Listening done right, helps us see.   We may be listening to children all the time. After all they rarely stop talking if you let them. But are we actually receiving what it is they share? When we shift from simply hearing our child’s voice to truly understanding their perspective, we move from simply looking at our children to truly seeing them.   That is why listening the right way — in a manner that is receiving and inviting of the child — is also an important way to support the child's sense of self and identity. Receiving the child and the child’s experience also creates a natural opportunity for self-regulation. This is so because: Being heard gives the power to solve many challenges.   In today's podcast episode, I share with you 6 parts to intentional listening: Make space for it Let the child do the talking Focus on the child’s experience Be the blank canvas Repeat back Invite to elaborate   When we practice receiving in this way, we become better equipped to support children when they truly struggle. For example, we help children process strong emotions not by fixing them and doing a lot of talking, but by making space for them and doing a lot of listening.      Sign up here for the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting training.   Host: Julia Pappas, Psychologist & Parent Coach More info at theparentingpresence.com