The world through their eyes!

Joanne Jones Author

The 6 things you need to know about seeing the world through their eyes.

This is “tricky”, but even more so when your child has communication and language difficulties because you do not know what  your child is thinking.

WHY is it important to see through  your child’s eyes?

1. Learning.                                                                                                                                                   Children are always learning. However, sometimes, as  parents,  we talk as if our children  understand everything . Basically  children want to please but when they are  whinging and being irritating as we see ,it often is because  they  do not understand.
2. Curiosity                                                                                                                                             Children are naturally curious and find things interesting. Maybe their  interests are limited but  see through their eyes  what they are interested in and foster that interest, even though we might think it strange and uninteresting.
3. Sensory.                                                                                                                                        We all have different sensory needs  and we sometimes  make decisions for our children based on our own sensory needs. 
4. Repetition.                                                                                                                            Children love repetition! We might find it monotonous, boring etc BUT when looking through a child’s eyes that pattern supports learning.

So, how do you come to understand where your child is? 

The knowledge and understanding of how language develops is the key! To gain that knowledge and help your child is so important and below are strategies for helping you to “see through your child’s eyes”.

STRATEGIES to help you to understand where your child is and see through your child’s eyes.

1. Take a step back and listen more than you talk !

2. Note down what your child is interested in, no matter what it is!      

3. Be led by your child and his/her learning. Try not to jump in because you know what your child needs…..eg your child looks at the fridge and you know a drink is required, so off you go and fetch one. Try stepping  back, watch , listen and your child will give you more, even though at first your child may be a little confused because you always get the drink but your child will  respond with more communication.

4. ENJOY the process and do not worry about the end result. It is not about fulfilling our agenda.  

5.   Let your child make his/her own decisions about his/her life-- keeping safe , of course! Acknowledge rather than change the decision your child has made  even though you know sometimes that it is not the right decision. eg. A battle to get a coat on because it is cold outside and for YOU it is . So let your child go outside without a coat but take it with you. Maybe your child won’t feel the cold but you have it if later it is decided by your child that it is needed. 

6. Behaviours are often a result of what has been happening before and what  sensory needs your child may  have. You might think your child is just being awkward, having these behaviours , but this can be a coping mechanism for something your child is not comfortable with.…… step back and see it through your child’s eyes. For example : You want to have on loud music and your child begins to cover his/her ears or some other behaviour.  Your child is on “sensory overload”. Children may rock and even go to sleep to cope in certain situations. All of us react differently to different stimuli/happenings…….. see through your child’s eyes his/her point of view.