10-14-2022
Improve Communication With Your Child
Kids who know how to listen and express themselves do better in school. They also have an easier time making friends. The best way to help children develop these skills is by example.
Focus on how you communicate with your child. When your child talks to you, offer your full attention. Make eye contact. Listen without judgment. Ask questions to show your interest. Remember details so you can follow up later. When you speak to your child, use a gentle, indoor voice.
To improve your child's communication skills:
- Ask all family members to tell about their day at dinnertime.
- Play the Freeze game. At dinner, say "Freeze." Look to see who is paying attention to the conversation.
- Use a code word or gesture to remind your child to use good communication skills. For example, you might lower your hand to mean "speak more softly."
- Play the TV Talk Show Host game. Let your child interview you, then switch roles. Discuss ideas and activities.
- Practice reflective listening. You say something. Your child restates what you said in different words. Then your child asks a question. You restate the question and respond in your own words, and so on.
- Play the What Comes Next game. A family member brings up a topic of conversation. Your child must think of a question that relates to the topic.
- Develop a short list of do's and don'ts. DO wait for a pause to speak. DON'T interrupt.
- Offer praise when your child asks appropriate questions or looks at the speaker.
Brought to you by:
Nye County Schools
Pahrump, NV
[School Success Ideas for Families]
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