In order for children to develop properly both socially and verbally, they need to spend some time speaking with adults and other kids.
This doesn’t have to be a formal discussion all the time, but studies have shown that children who get regular one-on-one chatting time with the adults in their lives are usually more well-adjusted and do better in school.
If you’re worried about having anything to say to your kid, here are some tips on how to get a conversation going.
Start With The Basics
Ask them about their day at school or nursery, about their friends, and about their favorite toys.
Every child loves to talk about their playtime and what toys they’ve been playing with, so you can use these as conversation starters.
If you’re not too busy, don’t be afraid to ask your kid how their day was or how school is going. Anything above the basic “yes honey” will let your kid know they can feel comfortable talking with you.
Make The Environment Comfortable
Sometimes we have to have a serious talk, and that isn’t always possible or convenient when your kid is in their playroom grabbing at things.
A good time to grab on to them is when they are going from place to place – like after breakfast, before bath time. A younger child should be distracted by something in the other room, so you can catch them as they wander past.
Sit both of you down on a pair of big bean bags, get down to their level, and start up a casual conversation. They’ll get used to you being there and won’t feel like you’re crowding them or trying to take over their day.
Keep It Short And Sweet
Don’t try to have a deep discussion with your kid if they’re still very young; you don’t want to overwhelm them.
Just talk about simple things, let them ask you questions, and occasionally mention an interesting topic you know they’ll like.
If they ask a good question, by all means, answer it but try to get back on track after a while.
There’s no need to waste time chatting about some trivial topic that won’t interest them in six months’ time anyway. Listening to them is a much better use of your valuable time.
Have A Parent/Child Plan
Have a parent/child activity where you both choose a craft, read, or play that you can do together.
Make a point of doing this every few days, and make sure to let them pick their favorite activity. The chance for them to choose, as well as the physical contact, will help boost their self-esteem.
It also gives you an opportunity to get to know your child on a different level – they’ll have fun and be happy to talk about what they do with you.
Go Outside And Play!
Nothing sounds better to children than the word ‘play’. Getting them out for some physical activity like a game of football or going for a walk is a great way to get them talking – it’s fun and gets the conversation flowing.
