Children – the demographic referred to as the future of coming generations, the building blocks of society, and the pioneers of the future, in addition to the inheritors of our mistakes. Therefore, one way to attempt to shape the next generation for the better is to practice and teach skills such as active listening, empathy, and self-regulation – essential skills to carry into adulthood that they can use in their everyday lives.
Why Practice Active Listening?
Listening to be intentional, present, and non-judgmental is a gift that never goes unappreciated. The benefit of practicing this behavior with children is teaching them these life skills early. They become equipped with the necessary tools to form bonds, navigate relationships, and create positive self-perceptions, in comparison to retracing their steps in adulthood to unlearn maladaptive behavioral patterns and cognitive beliefs. This engaged proactiveness teaches the child the importance of building connections and mutual respect.
Unfortunately, the opinions, dreams, and viewpoints of children are often disregarded due to their relative immaturity. Therefore, adults engage in harmful dialogue that discourages out-of-the-box thinking because they are deemed too odd,viewed with an attitude of dismissal and disapproval. Therefore, this attitude effectively subdues the child. By not providing a safe environment of respect and acceptance, adults curb the natural spark and zeal for life each child brings to the table. This unfiltered enthusiasm requires nurturing, listening to, and given importance rather than being met with deprecation.
Laying The Foundation of Self-Esteem
Additionally, by treating these young individuals with critical importance and respect, we build a solid positive foundation for the self-esteem of our children. We create an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging by validating and actively engaging in their ideas and viewpoints, as well as a sense of security within their identities translated to confidence in their values and opinions in adulthood. Consequently, through this process, individuals can inhabit strong internal coping skills in the face of calamity and higher feelings of self-worth and self-efficacy.
Furthermore, research has shown that various parenting styles are often passed down from generation to generation, repeating similar methods with their children. Therefore, it becomes crucial to be aware of the consequences of engaging in negative interactions with children, as not only do they allow those experiences to shape their identities, but they may lead to obstructive barriers to growth within adulthood. Therefore, through our behaviors and interactions with the younger demographic, we are essentially shaping the future – for better or worse.