by Stefanie Estes
Recently, I had the opportunity to take an intensive active listening course on Udemy.com. I was interested in incorporating the skill into my everyday professional interactions. Active listening is essentially giving a speaker your full and undistracted attention, and, upon reflection, I found that the tools I learned during the course would also be quite useful in parenting my school-aged children. Therefore, I present the dos and don’ts of effective active listeners in the following list:
- Do pay attention to body language and tone
Note your child’s feelings and non-verbal cues in your feedback – If you notice that your child’s tone is off or that their shoulders are slumped, say something like, “You don’t sound/look so happy about that.”
- Don’t offer your internal judge’s response
That voice that scares you away from doing/saying things is your internal judge. Putting your own fears, your own judge, at the forefront of a conversation is not constructive.
- Do try to keep an open mind
If you ask probing, non-judgmental questions, your child will be more likely to realize possible stumbling blocks in their plans on their own through talking it out with you.
- Don’t attempt to mind-read or multi-task
Interrupting with what you think your child will say next interrupts their thought process, and by ignoring your buzzing phone when your child speaks, you are indicating to them that their words are important.
- Do ask clarifying questions
Active listening does not mean that you passively wait to interrupt as your child tells you a long story about their day. It is important to interrupt with clarifying questions to gain insight as you remain focused on what your child is trying to say.
- Remember: “My presence is a present and I am an ally.”
Active listening is an investment in your relationship with your child.
Source: Powers, Lauren. “Active Listening: You Can Be a Great Listener.” Udemy. Accessed October 25, 2022. https://www.udemy.com/course/active-listening-you-can-be-a-great-listener/.
Philosophy is the discipline that studies major and universal questions, including existence, knowledge, values, reason, and language. It covers a vast number of topics and issues, from ethics and politicians to metaphysics and logic. Here are principal nuances of philosophy:
1. Definition of Philosophy
Philosophy comes from the Greek words “philos” (love) and “sophia” (wisdom). It is zeal to realize and make sense of the world around us and our place in it.
2. The Main branches of philosophy
– Ontology the study of the essence of being and existence.
– Epistemology the study of the nature and limits of knowledge.
– Ethics the analysis of ethical principles and concepts of good deed and evil.
– Logic the study of the forms and principles of correct thinking.
– Political philosophy the study of questions of power, justice and the state.
3. Notable Philosophers
In the course of the history of philosophy, almost many thinkers have made meaningful contributions to this science. Some of the most recognizable include:
– Socrates, considered the progenitor of Western philosophy.
– Plato, a pupil of Socrates, developed the doctrine of forms.
– Aristotle, the creator of logic and a huge number of scientific fields.
– Immanuel Kant, known for his own Philosophy critical philosophy and work on moral issues.
4. The Relevance of Philosophy in the Modern World
Philosophy remains urgent in the modern world as it helps people to understand difficult social and ethical issues, also develops critical thinking. It affects the legal system, politicians, and different fields of science.
5. Practical Applications of Philosophy
Philosophical ideas penetrate everyday life. Ethical reflection helps people do the correct thing in complex situations, and philosophical analysis contributes to better understanding of problems related to technology, art, and social justice.
Philosophy is not only an academic discipline, but also a way of thinking that helps us to understand life’s complexities and make informed choices.