Kid Friendly Guide: Listening and Speaking with Examples

Kid-Friendly Guide to Listening and Speaking 

Pay attention;

When someone is speaking to you, make sure to give them your full attention. Put away any distractions and focus on what they're saying.

Paying attention means being fully present in the moment and giving the speaker your undivided attention. This can be challenging in a world full of distractions, but it's an important skill to develop.

Here are some examples of how to pay attention:

Put away your phone

When someone is speaking to you, put away your phone or any other distractions. Give the speaker your full attention and show them that you value what they're saying.

Maintain eye contact

Maintaining eye contact is a powerful way to show someone that you're paying attention. Look them in the eye while they're speaking and try to avoid looking away or glancing at other things in the room.

Avoid interrupting

Interrupting someone while they're speaking can be rude and disruptive. Wait until they've finished speaking before you respond, and give them a chance to fully express their thoughts and ideas. 

Focus on the speaker's body language

Body language can be a powerful indicator of how someone is feeling. Pay attention to the speaker's facial expressions, posture, and gestures to get a better sense of what they're saying.

Show empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When someone is speaking to you, try to put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they might be feeling. This can help you better understand what they're saying and respond in a more compassionate way.

Remember, paying attention is an important part of effective communication. By giving the speaker your full attention and showing them that you value what they have to say, you can build stronger relationships and have more meaningful conversations.

Ask questions;

If you don't understand something or want more information, ask questions. This can help you better understand the conversation and show the speaker that you're interested in what they have to say.

Asking questions is a great way to show the speaker that you're engaged and interested in the conversation.

Here are some kid-friendly examples of how to ask questions:

Clarify something you don't understand

If the speaker says something that you don't understand, ask for clarification.

For example, if someone says "I'm going to the store," you might ask "Which store are you going to?"

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are questions that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." These types of questions can help you get more information and keep the conversation going.

For example, you might ask "What did you like most about the movie?" instead of "Did you like the movie?" 

Paraphrase what the speaker said

Paraphrasing means repeating what the speaker said in your own words. This can help you better understand the conversation and show the speaker that you're paying attention.

For example, you might say "So, what I'm hearing is that you had a great time at the park yesterday." 

Show curiosity

Curiosity is a great way to ask questions and learn more about the speaker.

For example, you might ask "What's your favorite hobby?" or "What do you like to do for fun?"

Remember, asking questions is an important part of effective communication. By showing interest in the speaker and asking thoughtful questions, you can deepen your understanding of the conversation and build stronger relationships.

Be respectful

When you're speaking to someone, be kind and respectful. Don't interrupt them or talk over them. Try to see things from their perspective, even if you don't agree with them.

Being respectful is a crucial aspect of effective communication. Here are some kid-friendly examples of how to be respectful when speaking to others:

Listen without interrupting

When someone is speaking, wait for them to finish before you respond. Interrupting can be rude and disrespectful, and it can also prevent you from fully understanding what the other person is saying. Give them the chance to express themselves fully before you respond.

Use kind words

Using kind words and a pleasant tone of voice can go a long way towards showing respect to the person you're speaking to. Even if you disagree with them, try to express your thoughts and feelings in a way that is polite and respectful.

Be open-minded

Being open-minded means being willing to listen to and consider other people's perspectives, even if they're different from your own. Try to understand where the other person is coming from and be respectful of their views.

Avoid making assumptions

Making assumptions about someone else's thoughts or feelings can be disrespectful and can lead to misunderstandings. Instead of assuming, ask questions and try to understand the other person's perspective.

Apologize if you make a mistake

If you say or do something that is disrespectful, apologize and make amends. This shows that you take responsibility for your actions and that you value the other person's feelings.

Remember, being respectful is not only polite, but it can also help to create a more positive and productive conversation. By being kind, open-minded, and considerate, you can build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively with others.

Speak clearly using complete sentences 

When you're speaking, make sure to speak clearly and loud enough for others to hear you. 

Don't mumble or talk too fast.

Speaking clearly and using complete sentences is important for effective communication. Here are some kid-friendly examples of how to speak clearly: 

Use a clear and confident voice

Speak in a clear, confident voice that can be easily heard by the person you're speaking to. Try not to mumble or talk too softly, as this can make it difficult for others to understand what you're saying.

Use complete sentences

When you're speaking, try to use complete sentences that express your thoughts and ideas clearly. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures that you're communicating effectively.

Use descriptive language

Using descriptive language can help to make your message more clear and engaging. For example, instead of saying "I saw a bird," you could say "I saw a beautiful bluebird with a bright red breast."

Avoid using filler words

Filler words like "alright", "basickly", "um" or "like" can make it difficult for others to follow what you're saying. Try to avoid using them and instead take a moment to collect your thoughts before you speak.

Practice active listening

Active listening means giving your full attention to the person who is speaking to you. This helps to ensure that you understand what they're saying and can respond appropriately.

Remember, speaking clearly is an important part of effective communication. By using a clear and confident voice, using complete sentences, and avoiding filler words, you can communicate your thoughts and ideas in a way that is easy for others to understand.

Use "I" statements

When you're expressing your thoughts or feelings, use "I" statements instead of "you" statements. For example, instead of saying "You're not listening to me," say "I feel like you're not listening to me."

Using "I" statements is an important part of effective communication. 

Here are some kid-friendly examples of how to use "I" statements:

Express your own thoughts and feelings

When you use "I" statements, you are expressing your own thoughts and feelings instead of making assumptions about the other person. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and allows the other person to better understand where you're coming from.

Avoid blaming others

When you use "you" statements, it can come across as blaming or accusatory. Using "I" statements helps you take ownership of your own thoughts and feelings without placing blame on others.

Be specific

When using "I" statements, be specific about what you're feeling or thinking. For example, instead of saying "You're being mean," say "I feel hurt when you say mean things to me."

Use positive language

When using "I" statements, try to use positive language that encourages understanding and collaboration. For example, instead of saying "I don't like when you do that," say "I would feel better if we could find a different way to handle this situation."

Practice active proactive listening

Using "I" statements also requires active listening on the part of both parties. By actively listening to the other person and using "I" statements to express your own thoughts and feelings, you can communicate effectively and build stronger relationships.

Remember, using "I" statements is an important part of effective communication. By expressing your own thoughts and feelings in a clear and positive way, you can avoid misunderstandings and build stronger relationships with others.

Recap: Practice active listening

Active listening means paying close attention to what someone is saying and showing them that you understand. You can do this by nodding, asking questions, and summarizing what they've said.

Remember, listening and speaking are important skills that take practice. Keep working on them, and you'll become a better communicator!

Active listening is an important skill that can help you become a better communicator. Here are some kid-friendly examples of how to practice active listening:

Pay attention

When someone is speaking, give them your full attention. Put away any distractions and focus on what they're saying. This shows the speaker that you value their words and are interested in what they have to say.

Ask questions

If you don't understand something, ask questions. This can help you better understand the conversation and show the speaker that you're interested in what they have to say. Ask open-ended questions to encourage the speaker to share more information.

Repeat what they said

When the speaker finishes talking, repeat back what they said in your own words. This helps to clarify any misunderstandings and shows the speaker that you were actively listening.

Use nonverbal cues

Nonverbal cues, such as nodding or making eye contact, can show the speaker that you're actively listening and engaged in the conversation. Avoid distracting behaviors like fidgeting or looking away.

Practice empathy

Try to see things from the speaker's perspective, even if you don't agree with them. This can help you build stronger relationships and avoid misunderstandings. Use phrases like "I understand how you feel" or "That sounds tough" to show empathy and understanding.

Remember, practicing active listening takes time and effort. Keep working on it, and you'll become a better communicator and build stronger relationships with others.