Listening to childhood: How understanding listening supports a child’s self-organisation in a complex social world

The article explores the issue of self-organization in preschool-aged children as a key developmental competence influencing the functioning of cognitive, emotional, social, and executive domains. It presents the multidimensional nature of self-organisation, considering sensory preferences, thinking styles, personality types, and gender differences. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of empathetic and understanding listening as a foundation for effectively supporting the child’s individual organisational style. The author argues that attentive and empathetic communication between adults and children not only fosters autonomy and essential life skills but also builds trust and contributes to long-term psychological well-being. Recognising and respecting the individual developmental needs of children is presented as a prerequisite for creating educational and caregiving environments that support holistic development.