Social Skills - My Child Doesn’t Listen to Others

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     When your child doesn’t listen to others (including yourself), he/she ‘detaches’ him or herself from others.  The chain of communication is broken and your child’s social interaction is undermined.

     Not only will your child miss instructions at home, he will miss important information at school, and his friendships will be weakened.

     You can help develop your child’s listening and social skills so that he begins to listen to others.

1.    Demonstrate appropriate ways to listen when you are talking to your child.  Show your child how to keep eye contact and respond appropriately.

2.    In order to ensure that your child has heard what you said, have him/her repeat your words.

3.    When you catch your child not listening to others, stop and tell him/her to listen and respond properly.

4.    If there are other children in the family, praise and reward them for listening properly.  This may motivate your child to listen better.

5.    Talk to your child before he/she is about to socialize (i.e. school, party, at family or friend’s houses) and remind him/her to listen to others.

6.    Reward your child for listening (a simple hug or a physical reward will do, you know your child best).

7.    Try to eliminate distractions when possible (e.g. television, radio, etc…).

     Remember to focus on your child’s positive behaviors and gently correct his/her inappropriate listening skills.  Your ability to model good listening skills has a profound impact on your child’s listening skills as well.

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