Listening... Keep Quieter

Be interested.
Listen quietly and calmly.

Be interested!
Let your attitude of interest radiate.

Be interested.
A nod of the head.

Be interested.
Soft, loving, interested, thoughtful eye contact.

Be interested.
Full attention.

Be interested...
Face directly.

BRIEFLY acknowledge what is said - summarise.
(You don't have to agree or disagree yet...

you need him/her to gradually fully "get" that
you DO understand
what he/she is trying to
get you to understand!)

"So you're telling me..."
"You want me to understand that..."

Encourage more telling:
Simple, short statements.

"Uh-huh"
"Yes, I see"
"Oh yes!"
"You bet!"
"Tell me more"
"Really?"

Communicate YOUR interest.

Give recognition to what your child is saying.
"I love you. Carry on..."
Open the doors of communication between you.
"I want to understand. What was next?"
Encourage communication.
"Wow... and then?"

Use leading, enquiring-to-understand (not prying) questions...
Ask them moderately, interestedly (not accusingly, afraid-ly)

"Tell me more about your feelings about school?"
"How do you mean...?"
"Explain to me again..."
"Can you give me more details?"
"How did/do you feel?"

All this to communicate that you care and are interested in them, and their life!

"Seek first to understand... and then... to be understood." Stephen R Covey

Next time... More about your part of the discussion - seeking to be understood.

Basically from: "Becoming a Better Parent" LDS Social Services