Consistent and positive interaction with your kid plays a vital role in their growth. Your method of communication will create a lasting impression on their mind and they will carry that experience to form an outlook towards how they approach life.
Effective communication with your child is all about understanding each other, having open conversations without judgment, and being mindful of your language and tone.
According to the National Communication Association, engaging in just 20 minutes of meaningful conversation daily with a child can improve their self-esteem and academic performance by 50%.
Communication issues affect classroom performance and hamper personality development and long-term growth. Make sure that you take this opportunity to communicate effectively and shape them into leaders of tomorrow.
Check these tips for effective communication that can help in fostering parent-child relationships –
- Be an active listener
To facilitate good communication, one must also be a good listener. Parents tend to dictate to their children what to do and give them advice and solutions. But first, take time to understand their feelings and issues. Give your child undivided attention, listen to their thoughts, understand them, and then communicate with them on their level. Such parent-child communication tips will enhance your daily conversations with your kid. Spending some quality time listening to each other, and sharing feelings and thoughts will deepen and strengthen your bond with your children.
- Show attentive body language
Show your genuine interest and concern for the kid through your body language. Sometimes actions communicate more than words can ever. Body language is a type of communication that is more effective than verbal communication. As the book of Silent Messages quotes, 55% of communication is body language, 38% is tone of voice, and 7% is words. Give them dedicated time free of exterior disturbances or any worries about work. Be present in the moment, have mindful conversations, and be attentive to their answers. Your body language and expressions should indicate that you are engaged with them.
- Ask open-ended questions
Instead of asking questions that can be answered in yes/no, ask questions that are open-ended and demand detailed responses. This approach lets the other person express their thoughts and feelings freely. It will result in much more meaningful conversations and connecting deeply with your child. Your child will get more comfortable in sharing things with you and develop a strong friendship-like bond. Next time instead of asking them “How was your day at school?” ask them “What was the highlight of the day for you and why?”
- Acknowledge the child’s feelings
It is very natural for kids to need someone to validate their emotions. Empathize with their emotions when they tell you how they are feeling – happy, sad, confused, excited, nervous, etc. Make them understand that it is fine to feel different emotions. Sometimes instead of giving advice and solutions, just validate their feelings, ensure that they know you are there for them, and let them handle it on their own. This approach not only fosters emotional intelligence but also plays a key role in building trust with your child, strengthening your relationship, and helping them feel secure in expressing themselves.
- Use affirmative words
While conversing with your kid, try to use more positive and kind words. Positive reinforcement is one essential element of strategies for effective parenting. Rather than telling him or her what they should not do, guide them to understand what they should do. Children tend to get rebellious when you tell them what not to do, to avoid such situations of conflict, make sure you avoid using the word don’t. Instead of saying, “Don’t leave your toys on the floor,” say, “Let’s put the toys back in their proper place to keep the room tidy.” This will encourage children to engage in positive activities and will help to foster a more cooperative and respectful relationship.
- Model good communication
Children learn from their surroundings, especially by looking up to their parents. Since parents are an inspiration for each kid, they should model good communication practices like being courteous, patient, kind, clear, etc. By being a good communicator yourself you can teach your kid this invaluable skill. If you want your kid to grow up grateful, let them see how you thank people daily. Be a good example for your child, and let them learn good values and ways of communicating.
The Blue Bells School, one of the best CBSE schools in Gurgaon understands the importance of communication for kids. By introducing programs to make children realize the significance of excellent communication and its function in personal and social development, they are setting a benchmark for the role of schools in child communication. Make these successful tips for effective communication a part of your daily conversation with your kid and see the relationship blossom.
