Communicating With Your Child

Communicating with your child is extremely important in parenting. Having good communication is an important building block in enriching the relationship between parent and child. It is essential to have good communication with teenagers as that is when problems start to surface. Communication includes both spoken language and non-verbal interaction. Non-verbal interaction refers to the way you and your child communicate through the things you do to express your feelings. However, the trend in parent-child communication is towards greater emphasis in verbal communication.

Importance Of Communication

Communication is fundamental in any relationship. All values have no meaning if they are not communicated and remain mere concepts for discussion and debate. Problems frequently occur because of miscommunication or lack of communication, especially when people do not have sufficient information or when they only see or hear part of the story. Children might interpret a parents grumpy face as a response to their questions raised when in actual fact it might be due to something that happened in the office earlier in the day. Therefore, having proper communication between parents and child is an important factor in building a strong and healthy relationship.

Talking To Your Child

Watch How You Say And What You Say

Your tone of voice is important therefore always remain calm to avoid agitation.

Avoid Long-Winded Sentences

Ideas and speech should be short and direct to the point.

Use Ordinary Language

Speak in a normal manner used when conversing with another adult.

Minimise Lecturing Or Preaching

It would put the child off or discourage him/her from speaking to you.

Be Sensitive

Allow your child to speak up whenever he/she is comfortable with it. It is better to wait then to force him/her to talk.

Listening To Your Child

• Show interest by putting aside what you are doing.
• Provide encouragement.
• Ask appropriate questions and not bombarding them with too many.
• Try to appreciate the way your child views the world and his ideas.
• Observe and pay attention to your child's actions.
• Listen carefully to what he/she has to say as there might be an underlying message.
• Let your child know that you understand his/her feelings so that it will be easier for them to confide in you.