4 great tips for the imagination                        back to main page

 

Four ways to help your child learn the art of listening

8 Story & questions

Ask a question about a story before you tell or read the story so they will listen for the answer. For example ask if your child knows the names of all the dwarves in Snow White or who are the Bremen Town Musicians?

 

8 Soft talk

Every now and then try saying something in a very quiet voice so they will make an effort to try to hear you.  Perhaps say something funny to make them laugh or affectionate.  Use this method infrequently as you’ll loose the effect on the child.

 

8 Discover sounds

Go outside for a nature walk or hike and close your eyes from time to time to listen for sounds.  Find a quiet spot that is dry and sit or lie down and close your eyes to listen.  Then discuss what you hear.  You can talk about them the next day or imitate the sound to reinforce the memory.

 

8 Visiting friends

Whether you are running errands or taking the time to visit friends your children will eventually need something to do.  Try logging on any computer or grab the mp3 player for kids to listen to while you are having coffee at a friend's home or while you are getting those teeth cleaned at the dentist.

 

 

Stories & their effect

 

“Telling a child the right story…at the right time can significantly support his pattern of growth and point the way to the next stage of development.  Particular stories, therefore, resonate with a child at a particular age; they mirror the child’s own consciousness, and speak to the child of his own challenges, hopes, fears, and longings.”

 

“Any actions in fairy tales are internal events having to do with one’s thoughts and feelings and desires. And all characters in a story are aspects of oneself. It’s like a mirror: one is meeting a portion of one’s inner being.”

Peterson, James. Paths of Learning, Autumn2002 Issue 14,

 

From this small excerpt you can see how significantly stories influence children while allowing them in their own way to identify with the characters and their decisions.  Keep this in mind while you listen to stories at International Tales.  To read James Peterson's entire article click here (James Peterson-PDF)

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