Mindful Listening for Kids
Mindful listening is a basic yet impactful tool in all types of relationships. The use of mindful listening in social interactions improves communication which, in turn, deepens connections with others.
Listening more intently allows us to learn more about others, ourselves, and the world as a whole.
It also helps children develop social-emotional skills and engage more effectively with others around them.
Closer relationships due to mindful listening reduce stress, strengthen focus, and establish a person’s understanding of empathy.
We hope that you will walk away from this article with a better understanding of what mindful listening is, the benefits it has, tips on how to effectively teach it to children, and some mindful listening practices for anyone to implement in their own life.
What is Mindful Listening, and How Does It Relate to Mindfulness?
Mindful listening is the act of intentionally and purposefully paying attention while someone speaks and listening without distraction or judgment.
It’s an active process that requires awareness, attentiveness, and restraint from inserting personal input.
Mindful listening allows for staying connected to the conversation without being distracted by personal thoughts or one’s own internal dialogue.
It enriches interpersonal interactions, as it creates more effective communication due to deliberate, intentional attention and care for others.
The Benefits of Mindful Listening
There are many benefits, personally and interpersonally, to participating in mindful, active listening.
Engaging in mindful listening improves communication in social interactions which leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships and enriching experiences.
Exhibiting active listening signals while another is speaking has a positive impact on mental and emotional health as the speaking individual truly feels heard, understood, and respected.
It allows a person to better understand the perspectives and feelings of others, which enables them to become more deeply connected in their relationships and the world around them.
How Mindful Listening Helps Kids in School
Mindful listening creates a respectful, collaborative environment that makes a child more likely to participate and desire to be a part of the lesson and group as a whole.
With improved focus on the person speaking, children are more likely to retain information and learn the material being presented.
Mindful listening helps children stay engaged in the lesson and enhances the learning process throughout the day.
Tips for Teaching Mindful Listening to Children
The steps below detail a process of teaching mindful listening to children. These steps are helpful if used as a unit, but also if presented separately.
- Find an activity for your child that requires intentional focus and attention, such as a game or story that requires them to listen closely and follow instructions.
- Discuss with them that listening mindfully means paying close attention to what is being said without being distracted or preoccupied with other thoughts during the explanation of the activity.
- Before they begin the activity, encourage them to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. This helps them develop an awareness of the sounds around them so they can fully settle into the present moment.
- Encourage your child to take notice of any sounds or noises they hear in their immediate surroundings, such as traffic or birds singing outside, as well as any words said by individuals in the room.
- Remind your child that it’s normal to occasionally let their thoughts wander during the activity, but instruct them to concentrate their attention back on the task at hand as soon as they become aware of it.
- After they’ve completed the activity, it would be constructive for you to ask them whether they observed anything different as a result of engaging in attentive listening. You can also lead a conversation about how it felt to pay close attention to what was being said. Self-reflection is an important aspect of active listening that is emphasized through this process.
Mindful Listening Exercises
Mindful listening exercises are simple ways to “practice” how to listen more intentionally to the people and world around you. These exercises can be very helpful in strengthening one’s ability to participate in active listening during social situations.
Listening Meditation
Find a quiet, peaceful place for your child to relax. Have them close their eyes and take in the sounds happening around them. Encourage them to allow each sound to come and go, acknowledging it as they focus their attention on it.
Encourage them to keep an open mind as they listen and to try not to get attached to any particular thoughts or emotions. Have them take time to remain still and mindful for 10-20 minutes or until they feel relaxed and at peace.
This time of quiet reflection creates a deeper awareness and appreciation of the sounds around them.
Sound Walk
Have your child take a walk outside and be attentive to all they hear in nature and the surrounding neighborhood: birds chirping, rustling leaves, traffic noise, the sounds other people make as they play and explore, and more.
Have them take note of each sound individually and how they make them feel physically and emotionally.
Listening to Music
Choose music your child feels connected with. Have them find a comfortable spot to relax, and close their eyes while they listen to music without distractions for 10-15 minutes.
Allow them to be fully immersed in the sound. Afterwards, ask them to notice what emotions surfaced and how these emotions may change as the sounds and music progressed.
The Value of Mindful Listening in the Classroom
One of the ultimate goals of educators is to create an environment that encourages curiosity and critical thinking, and mindful listening is a significant contributor to this.
Mindful listening consists of being present and attentive when someone is speaking by truly focusing on understanding their words, reflecting on what is being said, and engaging with the speaker.
A supportive classroom environment can be created by engaging in mindful listening. Utilizing mindful listening in the classroom is an excellent approach for teachers to improve student engagement and learning.
This can allow students to explore concepts on a deeper level and improve their critical thinking abilities. In order to encourage mindful listening, teachers can ask students open-ended questions, provide time for reflection, and model active listening with their students.
Highlighting mindful listening in the classroom will produce many successes, big and small, and will have a positive impact on the students. It may be challenging work, but it is highly worthwhile once the concept is fully grasped.
About the Author
Dane Furfaro is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and has worked with children in the school setting for more than 10 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia College and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a specialization in counseling from the University of Minnesota. He has been fortunate to empower many children and families in their journeys to create better futures for themselves.
