Parents should be aware of the art of talking to children. Talking can help to solve many parenting problems. Read on to learn more about the 10 tips for talking to your children.In our day-to-day busy lives, it has become difficult to connect with our children on an emotional level. Parents can get closer to their children, simply through communication. Communication reassures children that they have the unconditional love and support of their parents. Even if you are busy, spend at least one hour of quality time with your child. Here are ten tips you should keep in mind during this session which will benefit your child for a lifetime. In this articleSet an hour aside for a ‘heart-to-heart’ conversationNo distractionsGet down to their levelHelp them understand what your are sayingBe honest with your feelingsAsk what they thinkMaintain the connect with themUse your loving touchFind a common groundMaintain Privacy1. Set an hour aside for a ‘heart-to-heart’ conversationDuring this time, ask the child what she wants to do. Make sure that she wants to talk to you before you begin. Use calm, relaxed and slow speech with plenty of pauses to show that you enjoy her company. This exercise increases the confidence of younger children, reassuring them that their parent is there for them. For older children, it shows that they can talk to their parents about all their feelings without any kind of hesitation.2. No distractionsStay away from all the distractions while talking to your children. For this, switch off the phone, turn off the television and remove your earphones. For 100% attention, you need to get completely disconnected from all kinds of distractions.3. Get down to their levelIf your child is a toddler, make her sit on a bed. Your posture should be comfortable and should not put you in a dominating position. Make eye contact with your child. Making eye contact also tells that you are genuine about your effort.4. Help them understand what your are sayingChildren need to learn about life. Yet, some parents feel that children are not ready to deal with tough topics. Use greater vocabulary. Explain to your children what your words mean. This sends a message that you think of your children that they are intelligent and emotionally capable of hearing and understanding your words. Use body language and facial expression for a greater effect.5. Be honest with your feelingsChildren find it easier to talk when they are not under the pressure of “I have to talk with you about something”. Let her express her ideas, and not answer questions like an interview. If you are displeased with her, say so in a calm and rational way. If you are proud of her, say that as well. This helps children to be honest with parents as well.6. Ask what they thinkIt is important that you know their feelings about something, such as an incident in school. This helps you decide how far into details you should go for that topic. Ask them at the end of your talk, such as “Do you have any questions?” “Do you understand?” or simply ask “Do you need to talk about something?” Take a few moments to process her opinion and reply appropriately.7. Maintain the connect with themNever say things like, “Mommy is not happy with you.” This disconnects you from your child. Explain to her that you are human being with your own emotions and she should respect that. Remember the same applies for your child as well. Instead, say, “I was very hurt by your behaviour. Would you tell me what made you act that way?”8. Use your loving touchChildren crave a loving touch or a hug. Use touch when talking to your child. Put your hands on your child’s shoulders. Hold her in your arms, these actions add love and compassion to your words.9. Find a common groundBegin the talk with something that both of you have experienced, such as bullying. Make sure that you do not blame the environment or friends which could worsen the situation.10. Maintain PrivacyRemember that you are your child’s confidante. Therefore, such conversations should not be in public but at home. By making it one-on-one conversation, your child feels that she is worth the investment and time. Moreover, do not share your child’s secrets with others. It may be a small matter to you but it may break your child’s trust in you and you do not want that.These simple but important tips will bring a great difference in the parent-child relationship. Remember that your child is also a human being. By teaching her how to communicate, your child will grow up to an emotionally balanced and happy person.How to talk to children? What should parents avoid doing while talking to children? Why is it important for parents to talk to children? Discuss here.
Parents should be aware of the art of talking to children. Talking can help to solve many parenting problems. Read on to learn more about the 10 tips for talking to your children.In our day-to-day busy lives, it has become difficult to connect with our children on an emotional level. Parents can get closer to their children, simply through communication.
Communication reassures children that they have the unconditional love and support of their parents. Even if you are busy, spend at least one hour of
quality time with your child. Here are ten tips you should keep in mind during this session which will benefit your child for a lifetime.
1. Set an hour aside for a ‘heart-to-heart’ conversation
During this time, ask the child what she wants to do. Make sure that she wants to talk to you before you begin. Use calm, relaxed and slow speech with plenty of pauses to show that you enjoy her company. This exercise increases the confidence of younger children, reassuring them that their parent is there for them. For older children, it shows that they can talk to their parents about all their feelings without any kind of hesitation.
2. No distractions
Stay away from all the distractions while
talking to your children. For this, switch off the phone, turn off the television and remove your earphones. For 100% attention, you need to get completely disconnected from all kinds of distractions.
3. Get down to their level
If your child is a toddler, make her sit on a bed. Your posture should be comfortable and should not put you in a dominating position. Make eye contact with your child. Making eye contact also tells that you are genuine about your effort.
4. Help them understand what your are saying
Children need to learn about life. Yet, some parents feel that children are not ready to deal with tough topics. Use greater vocabulary. Explain to your children what your words mean. This sends a message that you think of your children that they are intelligent and emotionally capable of hearing and understanding your words. Use body language and facial expression for a greater effect.
5. Be honest with your feelings
Children find it easier to talk when they are not under the pressure of “I have to talk with you about something”. Let her express her ideas, and not answer questions like an interview. If you are displeased with her, say so in a calm and rational way. If you are proud of her, say that as well. This helps children to be honest with parents as well.
6. Ask what they think
It is important that you know their feelings about something, such as an incident in school. This helps you decide how far into details you should go for that topic. Ask them at the end of your talk, such as “Do you have any questions?” “Do you understand?” or simply ask “Do you need to talk about something?” Take a few moments to process her opinion and reply appropriately.
7. Maintain the connect with them
Never say things like, “Mommy is not happy with you.” This disconnects you from your child. Explain to her that you are human being with your own emotions and she should respect that. Remember the same applies for your child as well. Instead, say, “I was very hurt by your behaviour. Would you tell me what made you act that way?”
8. Use your loving touch
Children crave a loving touch or a
hug. Use touch when talking to your child. Put your hands on your child’s shoulders. Hold her in your arms, these actions add love and compassion to your words.
9. Find a common ground
Begin the talk with something that both of you have experienced, such as bullying. Make sure that you do not blame the environment or friends which could worsen the situation.
10. Maintain Privacy
Remember that you are your child’s confidante. Therefore, such conversations should not be in public but at home. By making it one-on-one conversation, your child feels that she is worth the investment and time. Moreover, do not share your child’s secrets with others. It may be a small matter to you but it may break your child’s trust in you and you do not want that.
These simple but important tips will bring a great difference in the parent-child relationship. Remember that your child is also a human being. By teaching her how to communicate, your child will grow up to an emotionally balanced and happy person.
How to talk to children? What should parents avoid doing while talking to children? Why is it important for parents to talk to children? Discuss here.
