What does it mean to get on a child’s level?

[Parker1970]

What does it mean if somebody says to get on a child’s level? An example might be to talk to the child at their level, or greet them at their level. Some also even say put the kid to your level to greet them. What does that mean?Do you do this with your children?

Well in teaching it means crouch down to desk level or sit on a low chair so you aren't towering over them and intimidating them....but also so you can speak and communicate face to face.

Intimidating? I didn’t know that was scary

Seriously?

Perhaps imagine a person 2 or 3 times your height towering over you.

I think its literal. You crouch down so you can speak face to face and make eye contact.

I don't know the alternative is intimidating, although I see it could be. but you are more distant and easy to ignore!

What do you mean easy to ignore? I’m still right next to them right?

For some children it absolutely is scary to have someone twice their height standing over them.

Well if you are telling a child off or giving them detailed instructions then yes it could be intimidating for them and they may find communication much better on their level.

I'm 5'9, when my kids were toddlers and I wanted to talk to them I would crouch down...why wouldn't you?

It is more than just being at the right height for the child. It means to meet them as a conversational partner not a lesser being that you are always instructing. Even tiny children have their own thoughts, beliefs and opinions if you take the time to listen.

Is this a genuine question or are you trying to make some sort of point?

This is a genuine question. I don’t see what’s intimidating about it, we’re still talking right? I don’t get it

Do you have children? 🤨

Well its not compulsory!

Just some people find it better to communicate face to face and its often the advice given when parents ask for help because thier child won't listen. It can be really effective. Lots of parents say 'stop that jonny' from across the room looking the otherway and jonnhy carries on, because like lots of us his attention is caputured on his task and he us filtering out other things. Jonny stops when addressed directly at his level as it interrupts the focus on the task, to the focus on you.

If you find your child is listening all the time. Carry on standing as there is no problem to address. Its not a suggestion for all interactions normally.

Ah you're back!

Repeated customer asking this question and expressing faux confusion people...

You're coming across as difficult and defensive.

Why don't you try it? (Sitting or crouching down to speak to them).

Ah!

I was suspecting a man with faux ' my height is intimidating ' confusion!

Talk at eye level-so eg crouch down so that you are looking directly at each other.

Your bum is next to their face. Make of that what you will.

Metaphorically, it might mean being empathetic and seeing the situation from the child’s perspective, and using child
friendly language that they understand.

I’m getting flashbacks to the poster who wants to get rid of apostrophes.

Why would you want to get rid of the apostrophes
?