It's a bit of a two way street. I agree that teaching appropriate talking is an important skill, but teaching and modelling reflective/active listening is just as important. So, as PP have said, I try to rephrase what DS says, and ask questions too. I also try to maintain eye contact, though that's not always easy when you're talking with a 3 year old who is jumping up and down with excitement! Even just making 'oh, yes, I see' noises helps.

MIL desperately needs lessons in appropriate talking, as she is doing our heads in with her constant babble about inane subjects at the most in opportune times. Last night I tipped in about 1/2 jar of nutmeg and wrecked our soup, made lumpy custard and undercooked the zucchini bread, all because her talking was such a distraction! She talks and mutters through every TV show, and she's a toilet talker too! Ewww!