When someone is talking to you, there are a lot of things that could be happening.
You could be listening with your body (nodding, smiling) but your mind is somewhere far away. You’re not paying attention.
You could be listening with your ears (you hear what they’re saying) but your body isn’t paying attention. It’s not registering what’s being said.
You could also be spaced out physically and mentally and emotionally. Like, you’re technically there, but you’re not there.
And then … there’s whole-body listening. That’s when your mind is engaged, your body is engaged, you are fully present, and everything about you is focused on the speaker and what they’re saying.
I challenge you to have one conversation today with your child that includes whole-body listening.