Practicing with empathic listening
How to practice in a way that kids will listen.
One of my favorite blogs, Plucky Violin Teacher, is hosting a book club for teachers. I’m not a teacher, but I don’t mind eavesdropping a bit for some tips for home practice.
Recently, McKenzie Clawson wrote up a very relevant review of the classic parenting book: “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (available at your public library.) I enjoyed the way that McKenzie reframed the authors' take on empathic communication with students as a series of dialogs between teacher and students. I was particularly reminded by her point 3. Fix with one word to avoid long-winded discussions. My daughter zones out when I start into a long explanation.
Definitely worth reading her post.
