This week we have been practicing the art of listening. Listening is not only important for learning but for making (and keeping!) friends as well. We've been working on the rules "eyes watching, ears listening, voices quiet, and bodies calm". Key skills are focusing on the speaker, not interrupting, asking questions, and repeating what you heard. One of the greatest gifts you can give another person is truly listening to them. It makes them feel cared about and respected. We are also talking about being able to ignore distractions and using self-talk to keep your brain focused on what is being said. You can practice and model these skills at home. Screens can prove to be a big distraction to listening. Encourage kids to turn of the screen (or pause and put it down) to be sure they are whole body listening and understanding.
