Listening To Students: A Matter Of The Heart
Want students to listen and learn better? Create a better listening attitude towards learners.
A learning attitude from students starts with a listening attitude from teachers. Listening tells students that you care.
Children know that listening is an act of the heart. The ears hear but the heart listens. The ears hear but the heart responds. The heart, not the ears, opens communication between teacher and student.
Students learn best in an environment where they listen best. If they are not listening in the classroom they are not learning. Students will not listen to what you have to say if they feel you are not listening to what they have to say. Students need to be able to feel free to express themselves. They will only feel free to express themselves if they feel that they will be heard.
There is some fear among educators that freedom of expression in the classroom can lead to chaos. Freedom of expression does not create chaos. Freedom of expression leads to academic achievement. Freedom of student expression opens pathways of discovery for teachers and students.
The discovery pathways start with teachers and students listening to each other. Teachers discover that students are creative, imaginative, and truly want to learn. Teachers discover that whatever message they want to get across, students can help them do so if there has been a connection of the heart. Students discover that teachers are friends. They discover someone with whom they can communicate. They discover a love of listening and learning.
Linda Winchester,author
Copyright © 9/9/06
Linda winchester is a reading teacher of 30 years. she is also an author and web master.
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