You can strengthen the dialogue with your young children on a daily basis and thus create a strong relationship of trust. Discover some keys to achieve this.
When children reach adolescence, most parents want them to include them in their lives, to share their experiences, dreams and stories with them. However, for this to happen, a good communicative dynamic must be established from childhood. We can’t wait of children who have never been listened to that they become open and expressive young people. Therefore, we want to show you some tips to strengthen the dialogue with children when they are still young.
This is not an easy task as children do not always manage their communication skills well and may have very narrow interests that are different from ours. In addition, parents do not always have enough time.
So when your little one starts talking to you about a new movie while you’re trying to get to your appointment on time, try to make an effort to build these communicative bridges with him.
Why is it important to strengthen dialogue with young children?
Talking to your little one during their childhood may not seem so essential. After all, it is from puberty that they may need more advice and guidance. But you are wrong, because the first years of life are fundamental for this aspect.
Encourage dialogue with young children helps them develop language, improve their social skills and boost their self-esteem. Indeed, by talking to you often, they not only learn new words and expressions, but they also learn to respect speaking turns and manage a conversation. But above all, they grow up with the certainty of feeling valued and precious to their elders.
Your time and attention are the best sign for them that they are interesting, valid people who have a lot to contribute.
These early learnings help your child succeed later on many levels. Indeed, charisma, self-confidence, assertiveness and other communication skills are essential in school, work and social spheres.
Learn how to strengthen the dialogue with your young children
If you’ve noticed that you generally don’t listen well to your child or don’t communicate enough with them, the following tips can help you reverse this situation.
Dialogue is not synonymous with interrogation
Parents often speak to their children for the sole purpose of learning about their daily lives. How was school, what grades did they get, what did they do that afternoon, how do they get along with their classmates… It is normal to be interested in these aspects, but if the conversation is focused on questioning, the children risk becoming bored and withdrawn.
He is much more positive to show a real interest in the conversation in order to get to know each other better and strengthen the link between the two. So don’t just ask him questions or lecture him and start listening to him and sharing conversations with him.
Give it enough time
To talk to your child, you don’t have to seek out special moments just for that purpose. In this sense, everyday situations are ideal for spontaneous conversations to arise and contribute to generating this trust and complicity.
While cooking dinner, when you’re driving to school, at the supermarket, or walking down the street… the more time you spend with your child, the easier it will be for you to find opportunities to talk.
Take an interest in their tastes and hobbies
As a consequence of the first point, if you want to improve communication with your child, approach him through his tastes and interests. Perhaps when the child tells you – in fascination – about dinosaurs, planets or a new cartoon series, you will not feel particular interest. But it’s a perfect door to talk about a subject and strengthen your bond.
Pay attention to him when he talks to you about what motivates him, seek to share his hobbies with him and ask him questions to deepen. This way, not only will he feel heard, but the conversation will be so enjoyable to him that he will want to repeat it.
Encourage daily conversations
On your side, you You can also promote these moments of exchange with your own proposals. Lunch and dinner times are ideal for discussing everyday and innocuous matters with the family. For example, to remember the trip you took last week, to anticipate the football game next weekend or to comment on the last movie you watched together.
In these apparently banal conversations, a beneficial habit of sharing impressions and opinions between parents and children can be formed.
Integrate it into your daily life
Just as you like to participate in your child’s life and get to know his daily life, it also feels important and valued when you include it in your experiences.
Dare to tell him how your day went, ask him his opinion on a decision you need to make or tell him how it went with your friends. If your child sees that you trust him, he will trust you.
Practice active listening, do not judge or invalidate
Finally, pay attention to your attitude and reactions when talking to your child.
First, make sure he sees you paying attention to him. To do this, stand at their height, look them in the eye and remove other distractions such as cell phone.
Before judging him, criticizing what he tells you or correcting your child’s behavior, listen to him. Pay attention to what he tells you, pay attention to his emotions, motivations and opinions. Don’t minimize her problems and instead offer her understanding and guidance.
Strengthening dialogue with young children is an investment for the future
As we mentioned at the beginning, fostering dialogue with young children is the best way to ensure that this communication continues into adolescence. If you want your kids to trust you, come to you, and see you as a role model when they fail, start putting the above recommendations into practice today.