Skills for better listening

• Teach children to listen... gently touch a child before you talk... say their name.
• Speak in a quiet voice.. whisper sometimes so children have to listen... they like this.
• Look a child in the eyes so you can tell when they understand... bend or sit down.. become the child's size
• Practice listening and talking: talk with your family about what you see on TV, hear on the radio or see at the park or store.(Talk with your children about school and their friends.)
• Respect children and use a courteous tone of voice. If we talk to our children as we would our friends, our youngsters may be more likely to seek us out as confidants.
• Catch children and teens being good. Praise them for cooperating with you or their siblings, or for doing those little things that are so easy to take for granted.
• Use door openers that invite children to say more about an incident or their feelings. "I see,""Oh,""tell me more,""No kidding,""Really,""Mmmmm,""Say that again, I want to be sure I understand you."
• Prasie builds a child's confidence and reinforces comunication. Unkind words tear children down and teach them they just aren't good enough.
• Children are never too old to be told they are loved. Saying "I love you" is important. Writing it in a note provides the child with a reminder that he can hold on to.
• Give your undivided attention when your children want to talk to you. Don't read, watch TV, fall asleep or make yourself busy with other tasks.

Cited from www.kidsource.com