Be interested. Ask about children's ideas and opinions regularly. If you show your children that you are really interested in what they think, what they feel, and what their opinions are, they will become comfortable about expressing their thoughts to you.

Avoid dead-end questions. Ask children the kinds of questions that will extend interaction rather than cut it off. Questions that require a yes or no or right answer lead a conversation to a dead end. Questions that ask children to describe, explain, or share ideas extend the conversation.

Extend conversation. Try to pick up a piece of your child's conversation.

Respond to his or her statements by asking a question that restates or uses some of the same words your child used. When you use children's own phrasing or terms, you strengthen their confidence in their conversation and verbal skills and reassure them that their ideas are being listened to and valued.

Share your thoughts. Share what you are thinking with your child. For instance, if you are puzzling over how to rearrange your furniture, get your child involved with questions such as, "I'm not sure where to put this shelf.

Where do you think would be a good place?'' Observe signs. Watch the child for signs that it is time to end a conversation. When a child begins to stare into space, give silly responses, or ask you to repeat several of your comments, it is probably time to stop the exchange.

Reflect feelings. One of the most important skills good listeners have is the ability to put themselves in the shoes of others or empathise with the speaker by attempting to understand his or her thoughts and feelings.

As a parent, try to mirror your children's feelings by repeating them. You might reflect a child's feelings by commenting: "It sounds as if you're angry at your math teacher.'' Restating or rephrasing what children have said is useful when they are experiencing powerful emotions that they may not be fully aware of.

Excerpted from: How Can Parents Model Good Listening Skills? by Carl Smith http:/parentingweb.com/discipline/listening.htm MINI SUPPLEMENT SUP