“Scotia, could you come here for a moment, please?” I call out to my seven-year-old. “I need your help in the kitchen.” (no answer) “Scotia, can you hear me?” (silence) “SCOTIA, I’m talking to you!” I end up screeching as I march into the living room — all of 10 feet away — and plant myself between my daughter and the television. “What is it, Mommy?” she asks, trying to peer around me. By this point, I’m so frustrated, I can’t remember.

Getting your child to listen — and comply — without resorting to screams, bribes, threats or lectures can test the patience of any parent, says Michelle Moreau, a family therapist in Saint John, who has three children under the age of seven. “But what many parents don’t realize is that listening is a skill that needs to be developed.”

Good listening skills can have an impact on every aspect of your child’s life, including school performance, friendships and even how well she can execute drills on the soccer field. It also makes things a lot more harmonious on the home front. If your tot or tween tends to tune you out, these strategies may help capture her attention.

Originally published in Today's Parent, October 2008