How To Teach Your Child Good Interpersonal Communication Skills
Children learn a lot of communication skills through their interactions with others, but that doesn't mean there's no need to help them as they grow.It is possible to teach your child important communication skills that will help them have better relationships with others.This article will show you how to practice listening, respect, and curiosity with your child.
Step 1: An example should be set.
Your child doesn't know how to talk.They will learn a lot from watching you and others interact.If you want to teach your child good communication skills, start by demonstrating them.Active listening, clear and calm speaking, and not interruption are some of the skills that may be included.You should reinforce these ideas with your child after speaking with someone else.Don't be afraid to call yourself out if you see yourself showing less-than-ideal behavior in front of your child.It was rude of me to interrupt this person while they were talking.It's a good idea to let someone finish speaking before you start speaking.
Step 2: Talk to your child about the parts of a conversation.
There is a beginning, a middle, and an end to every conversation.Teaching your child about the different parts of a conversation will help them develop good communication skills.How to start a conversation is one of the things that you might explain to your child.The best way to greet someone is taught to your child.You can teach your child to say hello.Continue the conversation.It's a good idea to teach your child how to ask open ended questions to keep the other person talking.You can teach your child to ask questions like, "How is your family?" or "Do you like your new teacher?"When a conversation is reaching its natural end, teach your child how to tell.The person might be looking around or silent.Tell your child that it was fun talking with you.You should have a great day and then leave.
Step 3: Explain to your child that it is not appropriate to talk about it.
Some topics of conversation are off limits to children.Your child may offend someone if they talk with them.Make sure you explain to your child what they are talking about.Money, politics, religion, death, sex, a person's age or appearance, and gossip should not be taught to your child.If your child doesn't know enough about some of these topics, consider what suggestions would be the most helpful.You might say to your child, "I know you're interested in money, but we don't want to ask Mr. Bob how much he makes."What does he do at his job?
Step 4: Your child should be helped to understand their voice levels.
Some children may not speak loudly enough for others to hear them, or they may get excited and start speaking loudly indoors.When your child is too loud or not loud enough, teach them how to use appropriate voice levels.You could say to your child, "When you are outside, you can yell and talk loudly."It is important to speak in a lower voice when you are inside because some people might not be able to hear you.Can you speak louder so we hear what you have to say?
Step 5: Talk about your feelings.
Encourage your child to talk about their feelings.It will help them communicate clearly and teach them how to listen and express their feelings.Use sentences that start with "I" to convey your feelings to your child.Say "I am upset that you did not finish your homework" instead of "You make me upset when you don't finish it."Ask your child why they feel that way.Have a discussion about their feelings.Don't force your child to talk if they are uncomfortable sharing.Try to ask them why they don't like talking about their feelings.
Step 6: Encourage questions.
Encourage your child to ask questions of others.Your child will understand that speaking with others is important.It encourages interaction with new people.When your child is talking with someone, encourage them to ask questions by saying, "Why don't you ask your friend what they are going to do after school today?"
Step 7: Communication games.
Your playtime can be used to teach your child how to communicate effectively.Encourage your child to practice their new communication skills while you play Storytelling games with your kid where you develop a narrative and dialogue together.Use dolls, action figures, sock puppets, stuffed animals, or whatever else your child likes to play with to help them with their communication.Have conversations and create characters.Take turns talking and listening to your child.Make your child listen to you while you talk for 15 seconds.
Step 8: Encourage self-confidence.
Help your child learn how to be assertive.If they don't say anything, no one will know what they want.There are certain situations where you can let your child call the shots.Give them control of the remote for an hour on the weekend or allow them to pick what they want for dinner.Encourage your child to be independent.Peer worship is encouraged by comparing your child to one of their friends.Let them know it is ok to be who they are if they focus on their good qualities.If your child comes to you with a bully, you should help them figure out how to stand up for themselves.
Step 9: Listen closely to your child.
When your child is talking to you, allow them to finish their thoughts and ask you questions to engage them further.This will show your child that paying attention to others is an important aspect of communication.You can make eye contact with your child when you sit down or kneel.If you can't hear your child, turn off the radio or television, or move into a quiet room.You can show your child that you are listening by nodding your head or saying something short.
Step 10: Your child is listening.
Your child will understand that they need to listen to others and be listened to for effective communication.Ask your child to pay attention and listen as you address an important matter.Ask your child to repeat what you said to them in their own words, and show them encouragement by thanking you.It is important to listen the first time you are told something, if you have to repeat something because your child was not listening, let them know.I won't do this again.
Step 11: There are Curb interruptions.
Don't allow your child to interrupt others when they speak.A good display of communication allows others to speak without being disrupted.If you see your child interrupt someone, let them know that it is someone else who is speaking.Don't interrupt your child when they speak to you by allowing them to speak in entirety about a particular matter.
Step 12: It is a good idea to read books to your child on a regular basis.
It will teach your child to listen while at the same time providing them with a fun experience.To keep your child entertained, find stories that are engaging.It is a good idea to have your child read certain characters in the book.If you pay attention, they will know when their turn is coming.As they read for their character, let them lead the conversation.
Step 13: Listen games.
Have your child play games that encourage them to listen.Musical chairs are a good game to encourage your child to listen.Telephone encourages careful listening.Pick a phrase and whisper it to your child.Ask your child to whisper the phrase to a friend.Continue down a line of friends until you reach the last one, and have the final person say what they heard.
Step 14: Explain the signals.
One way to help your child understand communication is to simply explain it to them.If your child misses a signal, stop them and let them know what's going on.If, for example, your child doesn't understand that wide eyes mean fear, let them know that big eyes and restricted pupils indicate that a person is afraid or uncomfortable.
Step 15: Encourage sharing.
Sharing and playing together requires a number of skills and helps foster trust and understanding.Encourage your child to share with others.Show both verbal and non- verbal means of sharing.Ask your child, "Would you like to try this?" on some occasions, and on others offer something without words.
Step 16: Look at your child's eyes.
It is important for your child to get on their level and look at people in their eyes when they speak.Ask them to look at you when they speak to you.Explain to your child that looking at others in the eyes shows you are paying attention and listening carefully.
Step 17: Encouraging observation.
Encourage your child to observe the commutation between others when you are in a place where you can see others interacting.Allow them to analyze the situation on their own.If you are at the store with your child, you could ask people in the check-out line if they are happy.Deal-with-Stubborn- Children-Step-10-Version-3.jpg is a small URL.