Parenting Tips for Your 49-50 Month Old Child
“No one really listens to me.” Children sometimes have this feeling. Listening is an active process of hearing and trying to understand your child’s messages. Listening gives you a chance to understand how your child is feeling and shows your child how to listen to others.
- Listen patiently. Children take longer than adults to find the right word. Listen as though you have plenty of time. Hurrying children or calling attention to their use of the wrong word while they are talking is upsetting and confusing. Avoid cutting children off before they have finished speaking. Do not correct grammar or pronunciation; instead model correct grammar when you speak.
- Be interested and pay attention. Children can tell if you’re interested by the way you reply or don’t reply. Keep eye contact to show you are really with the child. Show an interest in her activities so she expresses her feelings. It will help her feel important. Get down on her level; do not stand and tower above her. Children feel closer to adults who express concern and caring and get children to talk about themselves.
- Reflect feelings. Sometimes just reflecting a child’s feelings back to her encourages her to tell you what’s on her mind. Saying, “You’re really feeling sad today, aren’t you?” will help your child share her feelings more than asking, “What’s wrong?”
Learn more about Your Child: 49-50 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
