Giving Children the Tools to Listen

By: NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) - Having a child who doesn't listen is one of the primary sources of frustration for most parents. It is not uncommon to see parents constantly asking their kids, "Can you hear me? Are you listening to what I'm saying?"

"I think the real question is not whether they listen, but do they retain the information that is thrown at them, and the answer to that is no," said Dr. Mary Manz Simon, an early childhood educator in Odenton, Md. "Kids today are immersed in many different messages, and it is causing selective listening to rapidly become a defining characteristic of our current generation."

So then, how can parents effectively communicate to this new generation of listeners? Simon has several suggestions you may want to add to your parental toolbox:

* Make eye contact with your child before you begin speaking. This will avoid an across-the-house yell that your child may simply tune out.

* Have developmentally appropriate expectations. If you say, "Make your bed," be sure your child knows how to make his bed.

* Talk to your kids with words they understand. If you don't think they understand, ask them to explain what you have just said. This is a great test to see how well you're getting your message across.

* Capture teachable moments. For example, when watching a new DVD with your kids, mention the way one of their favorite characters follows directions. Then compliment your children when they listen attentively.

Lisa Whelchel, former star of "The Facts of Life," best-selling author of the parenting book "Creative Correction" and mother of three, agrees with this approach.

"Some of the television shows or DVDs children watch have powerful messages in them," Whelchel said. "I feel it is important to include the senses, so capturing teachable moments through certain DVDs is certainly something I recommend."

Both Simon and Whelchel recommend the animated series "VeggieTales." The show can be seen on Saturday mornings on NBC and has a new DVD in stores now called "Moe and the Big Exit" that includes a lesson on following directions.

"I love 'VeggieTales,'" said Whelchel. "There is always such a positive lesson behind each episode."

"It's very easy to relate 'VeggieTales' back to actions you want your children to do, such as listening or following directions, which helps you when trying to capture those teachable moments," added Simon.