Hearing or Listening?
The “Pickles” cartoon today said Earl didn’t need a hearing aid, he needed a listening aid. This resonates with me as this is an issue I deal with all the time. Really listening to what other people say instead of just preparing what you are going to say next is a skill that needs to be constantly tuned for me. The easiest way I have found is to practice “active listening” where I position myself that I may have to tell someone else what that person had to say. I let the person know I am “present” by making eye contact and giving non-verbal cues of paying attention. I occasionally paraphrase for clarification. Mainly I practice letting the person finish their whole thought before adding my own ideas on the subject.
What are your ideas on “listening” cues?
Thanks for bringing up the difference between hearing and listening. It is an important skill we all can learn to be better at. Even our little ones in preschool or at home with Mom can learn listening skills. Parents and Early Childhood teachers can teach the children to look at their faces when they talk and to keep the body relatively still until they finish talking.
You are right – - – eye contact is a big deal (at any age).