C
ommunication skills are fundamental to success in the real world. Encouraging these skills in your child allows them throughout their life to interact with and listen to other people in school, their profession and in social settings.
To perpetuate your child’s communication and listening skills, make an effort each day to engage in a one-on-one conversation. Instead of talking at them, giving them instructions or reading to them, sit down and just talk. Ask them about their day, their ideas, maybe what they want for dinner or to watch on TV. Listen and respond with follow-up questions to help them improve back and forth discussion.
During everyday interactions with your child, try to consistently introduce new words and grammar. The more words a child recognizes and knows, the more confidence they will reflect in school and when communicating with others. Provide your child with description and explanations. In return, you can also ask them to give you a description to help them improve their grammar, vocabulary and speech.
Encourage you child to inquire about things they don’t know or understand. When you are having a conversation with them, ask them if they understand or have any concerns about the topic. Help them understand why clarifying questions are crucial to understanding and to the conversation they are having. Teach them the value of questions that expand understanding and general knowledge.
Being a good communicator can help your child ask for help in school, express themselves and values to friends and family as well as learn about the world around them. Implementing these suggestions with your children can help them in all these arenas in the short-term and long-term.