Learning when to talk and when to listen / Interrupting
Before You Begin
Pause and breathe. Even if this shouldn't be happening... accept that it is and embrace it with composure and calmness.
Calmness is the only way forward because without calm, there is no possibility for receptiveness and connection. Your child won't give to you any more than they see from you.
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Never forget that a strong connection is fundamental, as there will be no correction in them if there is no connection with you.
The Core Problem
Not understanding how everyone benefits from courteous and patient conversation skills.
What Will Make It Worse
Getting frustrated at them and seeing them as a nuisance. This response will hurt your relationship and won't teach them the skills they are missing.
What The Child Needs
1. To better understand communication dynamics: The child needs to learn the importance of balancing talking and listening. Explain the social cues and non-verbal signals that indicate when it's appropriate to speak or listen. Get them to really take to heart that interrupting someone makes them irritated and less interested in what you have to say, so politely responding/entering the conversation will do more to get what you want to say heard.
2. To make an effort to do active listening: Teach the child active listening skills, such as making eye contact, nodding to show understanding, and waiting for their turn to speak.
3. To practice their new communication skills in role-play scenarios: Engage in activities where the child can practice effective communication and active listening in different situations such as one-on-one or when you are already talking to another adult.
How To Have The Conversation With Your Child
Find a comfortable place free of distractions where the child can focus on talking with you.
Begin the conversation in a caring tone, expressing that sometimes they interrupt conversations, or you've noticed they are having trouble figuring out the right way to join a conversation.
Continue with empathy, expressing that you know first hand how tough it can be to get someone's attention the right way when they are already talking to someone else, or not talk to someone in a way that you are talking over them vs. with them.
Work through the list of what they need in a style that makes them feel like you are letting them in on the essential skills of conversation - skills that make talking to people easier and more fun for both of you.
Discussing and practicing everything above doesn't happen all at once - You just want to work towards giving them a new set of skills and perspective that they can continue to build on over time.