Is everything that one hears important? If a child answers yes, one needs to explain to him that if he had to listen to everything, his poor brain would explode!
Critical Information
Only Some information is CRITICAL. “Critter what?”, he may say. CRIT-I-CAL. Clap the syllables for him. You can introduce children to this term from as young as three years old. Critical information is the IMPORTANT information that one hears. If one does not hear it, then there will be a consequence. Once you have explained CRITICAL INFORMATION, you can introduce the term NON-CRITICAL.
How do I Teach my Child to Identify Critical and Non-Critical Information?
I worked with an 11-year-old child recently who was battling with his exams and studying. He had no idea what information was critical and what information was non-critical. A way to teach a child critical and non-critical information is to play a game. I call it the CRITICAL INFORMATION game. Present him with information and ask him if he thinks it is critical or non-critical. My 4-year-old can tell you what information is critical and non-critical. This skill helps with listening at home and in the classroom.
3 Examples of Information
Your friend gives directions to his house (this is obviously very critical. If you do not listen you would get lost). Dad has an itchy bum (as you know kids love toilet humour so the odd non-critical one like this keeps a potentially boring game interesting). Your teacher tells you you have a test on Thursday (this is obviously very critical. If you do not listen, you will not study for the test).
When can I Teach my Child to Identify Critical and Non-Critical Information?
“I have four children whose needs are vastly different, a husband, a job and, and, and…” Yes! Time is a rare entity these days. The good news is you need not set aside a specific time for this. You can incorporate it into everyday living.
3 Practical Examples of Times When you can Incorporate this Teaching
- In the car: this is where I do most of my teaching.
- At mealtimes: while eating, the family can play the critical and non-critical information game.
- During bathtime: while bathing, the children can play the critical and non-critical information game.
The World Health Organisation has recently issued new guidelines on screen time. Please refer to this article. Our children are living in a world where they are overloaded with information, from a very young age. The younger they can identify critical information and non-critical information the better!
By Katharine Denholm.