Bedtime Opportunities , Part I

“You Talk…I’ll Listen…” (for ages 3-14, or even older)
Bedtime is a special time for kids. It’s an ideal time to have a quiet, relaxed, personal time with your child. One laid-back activity that provides an outlet for your child, and enables you to be in a position to be a supporter, is with an activity called “You talk…I’ll listen.” When you first begin this activity – you may not hear anything from your child. You may have to use some open-ended questions to get things started. You may have to do this for a few weeks before your child really begins to share things. You will have to prove to your child that you really mean it when you say you will listen. When your child starts talking – don’t judge, criticize, or evaluate. Just listen; take it as it is. A critical developmental skill for all humans is the ability and willingness to express feelings and ideas. This activity gives your child an opportunity to practice these skills in a safe, supportive environment.