"We speak with more than our mouths. We listen with more than our ears." — Fred Rogers
Waiting is hard. It's hard for kids, too. That's right. This is about us.
Have you ever asked your young child a question and answered it yourself? Have you ever been frustrated that you didn't get an answer right away? We (and yes, I mean me too) sometimes forget just how hard children's brains are actually working when we ask them a question.
With all of this need for speed, children don't get the time they need to give us their opinion. It's a good rule of thumb to wait 5 to 7 seconds for a baby, toddler or preschooler to process and answer when a question is posed. This is going to seem like an ETERNITY, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll show them that you're interested, engaged and trustworthy. A perfect mix.
Want more information?
- Helping Your Toddler with Talking, opens a new window offers simple strategies for waiting and responding
- The Power of Wait Time, opens a new window describes why the practice of allowing wait time is good brain training
- TeachStone, opens a new window on asking children open-ended questions
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