Listening to Little Kids: Insights from Joanna Faber and Julie King
Explore parenting insights from Joanna Faber and Julie King on Listening to Little Kids. Learn why acknowledging feelings helps manage toddler tantrums effectively.
Best quote from Listening to Little Kids: Insights from Joanna Faber and Julie King
When children feel heard, they actually feel a sense of relief; if we dismiss them by saying 'it’s not a big deal,' we’re actually teaching them to fight harder to prove that it is a big deal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The core approach focuses on the work of Joanna Faber and Julie King, specifically their guide for children aged two to seven. Instead of trying to fix a problem or shut down noise during a tantrum, the most powerful tool a parent has is to acknowledge how the child feels. This method of active listening helps children feel heard, which acts like a pressure valve to release emotional tension and provide a sense of relief.
When parents dismiss a child's distress by saying things like 'it's not a big deal' or 'calm down,' it often makes the situation worse. According to the insights from Joanna Faber and Julie King, dismissing a child's feelings teaches them to fight harder to prove that their problem is indeed a big deal. This leads to more intense spiraling rather than the emotional regulation parents are hoping to achieve during a difficult moment.
Acknowledging a child's feelings is a central theme in 'How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen.' When a child experiences an intense emotional reaction, such as losing it over a box of cereal, hearing their feelings validated allows them to feel understood. This acknowledgment helps the child feel a sense of relief, making it a more effective strategy for parenting toddlers than using logic or dismissive language in the heat of the moment.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
