A child sees things in his world that we may not be able to see. Talking about what he senses to a receptive adult gives his world a voice and gives the child a vocabulary for his rich experiences and esoteric ideas. Be a parent to whom your child can trust her feelings. A trusting child feels free enough to share. Through this sharing her spirit is nourished and her beliefs are formed.
Many families find the quiet time before children fall asleep to be special listening time.
Attend to the silences, to the unspoken messages your child gives you. Wish upon a star with your child. Listen to his wish. The next time your child has something to tell you, listen as if she were a national hero, a spiritual prophet, or your boss. Listen as if she came down from Mars, has the future of the world stored in her mind, or knows the cure for cancer.