In order to learn, we need to listen. Each day I have in front of me a few children who are learning to listen. Learning to listen on the carpet during a lesson. Learning to listen to instructions. Learning to listen to their friends and classmates during worktime and playtime. Take peek into classrooms at the beginning of the school year and you will see teachers, no matter what grade, emphasize the importance of listening. The long summer holidays have encouraged the children not only to forget their Math and French, but also the skill of listening.
But teachers persevere. And children remember – or learn. After a few months, listening attitudes have improved in the classroom and instructions are followed more carefully. My colleagues and I use the phrase “Il n’ecoute pas!” less often and are content instead when classes run with less interruptions.
Yes, listening is important to learn. And I look forward to the day when all of the members of my new class realise this.
When have you had to listen to learn?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2016
(This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt: listen)
You would think listening would come naturally, but you’re so right: it’s a learned skill. One I’m still practicing…
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Sometimes listening is the hardest thing to do – especially when you feel rushed and feel you don’t have the time to stop and listen.
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It’s not just the children – it’s a skill I still need at work even as I approach retirement. Learning is lifelong and the skill of listening has to be too 🙂
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I also believe learning to be a lifelong experience. And every time I learn something new, I know I need to listen carefully in order to grasp it.
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I had always considered myself to learn better by reading than listening. But in recent years I have been listening to audio books on a long commute to work. I have had to learn to listen and have discovered that I am just as good at learning from listening as I am from reading. I think teaching also demonstrates the importance of active listening. Children must see that you are listening attentively to them. I think it is always good to refresh what is required in active listening. There is more to listening than just hearing.
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As I was reading your comment Norah, I was thinking of how I look out for signs to see that a child is actively listening. Active listening is not something we think about often, but it is something we look for even in the adults we are speaking to.
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We do. Children have just as much right to be listened to as adults do. 🙂
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Most definitely 🙂
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I remember stressing the importance of listening to my own children and even asking them to make eye contact. When their eyes wandered to watch what their brothers were doing, you knew at once they weren’t listening.
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That is definitely one of the signs that their attention has wandered 🙂
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Such a lovely take on the word “LISTEN.” I have huge respect for teachers, and especially any teacher who can teach my children to be better listeners. On behalf of every parent in that class, THANK YOU!
Have a great week!
Shauna Blaak (your neighbour in FMF#19 this week)
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Thank you so much. I love working with children and it gives me satisfaction when I see the children’s listening skills have improved 🙂
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I think by listening one learns much more than we think or thought, in dedication to listening I had to pen down a poem for my blog.
I believe it’s important to do so especially in this face pace world today we live in.
Thank you, a great subject to write on 👍
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True. While moving at a fast pace, we do not take the time to listen to others and what they are saying to us. It leads, I believe, to a disconnect between people.
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