Slow Ears Syndrome is what I call it when children talk to me and I hear the words, but not the underlying meaning of what they are trying to say. Slow Ears Syndrome is also when I speak to my charges and they don't listen to me. Slow Ears Syndrome is when kids and their caregivers feel misunderstood.
A red flag of Slow Ears Syndrome is when you find yourself repeatedly asking your charges, "Why don't you listen to me?" and the child often whines, "But, I didn't hear you."
Another red flag is the same problem in reverse. Do you often hear your charges asking, "Why don't you listen to me?" when you thought you had heard them? This often happens when nannies are simply too busy multi-tasking when their charge is trying to talk to them.
I know my charges suffer from Slow Ear Syndrome when they are playing a board game, a computer game, or basketball outside when I try to speak to them. They simply aren't capable of multi-tasking. I need to make them stop playing for a moment, look me directly in the eye, hear what I'm saying, and repeat it back to me to ensure they hear what I have to say.
I know I suffer from Slow Ear Syndrome when I'm cooking dinner, the baby is hungry, and the older boys are trying to explain something that happened in school to me. I hear some of what they are saying but often miss the underlying issues they are trying to share. Then, they boys complain I don't listen to them, because it's true, I didn't give them 100% of my undivided attention.
The September To-Do List is to actively listen to what is said to you by the children in your care. Pay attention to the words and and the tone of the children to better understand if they have underlying anxieties or problems.
Listening makes children feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. When we listen to children, we also act as a good role model for positive and effective communication.
September To-Do: Turn on your fast ears. Listen carefully and listen actively.
