Effective communication is essential for building a positive and supportive relationship with your child. Here are some simple techniques from psychologists on how to communicate with a child:
📍Active listening: Pay attention to your child when they are speaking, and show that you are engaged by asking questions, repeating back what they have said, and making eye contact.
📍Use age-appropriate language: Use language that your child can understand and avoid using complicated vocabulary or concepts.
📍Use positive language: Use positive language to reinforce good behavior and encourage positive thinking. For example, instead of saying "don't run," say "let's walk together."
📍Be clear and concise: Keep your instructions and requests clear and concise, so your child understands what you are asking of them.
📍Provide choices: Give your child choices whenever possible, so they feel like they have some control and independence in their decision-making.
📍Use open-ended questions: Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think and respond with more than just a yes or no answer.
📍Be empathetic: Try to see things from your child's perspective and show empathy when they are upset or frustrated.
📍Validate their feelings: Let your child know that it's okay to feel a certain way, even if you don't agree with their perspective.
📍Avoid criticism: Avoid criticizing your child, and instead, focus on praising their efforts and accomplishments.
📍Use humor: Use humor to diffuse tense situations and build positive connections with your child.
Remember, effective communication takes practice, and it's important to be patient and persistent in your efforts to build a positive relationship with your child.
Yours, Galina Khasanova
Hebrew University of Jerusalem