Parenting Perspective 

For a child, the impulse to speak can feel urgent, and waiting their turn can feel like being forgotten. Their interruptions are often not a sign of disrespect, but a fear that their thought will be lost if they do not share it immediately. The key is to reassure them that their voice is important while teaching them the valuable social skill of patience in conversation. 

Acknowledge Their Impulse to Speak 

You can validate their need to speak without derailing your own conversation. A simple nod, a warm smile, or a quiet phrase like, ‘I see you have something to say. I will listen in just a moment,’ is a powerful tool. It tells them, ‘You are seen, and you are important.’ 

Follow Through on Your Promise to Listen 

This is the most critical step in building their trust. As soon as there is a pause in your conversation, turn to your child with your full attention. Say, ‘Thank you for waiting so patiently. Now, what was it you wanted to share?’ This teaches them that their patience is always rewarded. 

Practise Patience Through Play 

The skill of turn-taking can be joyfully learned through games. Family board games, passing a ‘talking stick’ during dinner conversations, or even building a story together one sentence at a time are all fun ways to practise waiting and listening. 

Connect Waiting with Respect 

Through this consistent process, you are teaching them a profound lesson about communication. They learn that waiting is not a sign of being ignored, but a fundamental part of a respectful conversation where everyone’s voice is given its own time and value. 

This approach builds both their self-control and their confidence that they will always be heard. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam champions both fairness and patience as cornerstones of good character. In conversation, this translates to honouring each person’s right to speak and listening with the dignity they deserve. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nahal (16), Verse 90: 

‘ Indeed, Allah (Almighty) orders you to promote justice and benevolence; and to be generous towards (positively developing) those that are within your jurisdiction; and to prevent that which is immoral, acts of irrationality, and cruelty; and He (Allah Almighty) offers this enlightened direction so that you continue to realise (the true pathway of Islam).‘ 

This reminds us that fairness and good conduct include giving each person the dignity of being heard. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6018, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.’ 

This profound hadith provides a simple but powerful filter for our speech. It teaches the wisdom of restraint that sometimes, the best speech is the silence that allows another person their turn, until it is our time to speak good words. 

By guiding your child to wait patiently without feeling ignored, you connect them to the Islamic values of fairness, respect, and thoughtful speech. Over time, they will see that patience in conversation is not silence but a sign of dignity, kindness, and strength of character.