Every time you interact with your child, you’re communicating with them. It’s not just the words you use – your tone, your facial expressions, and your hugs all send messages. The way you communicate helps your child learn how to talk to others and also affects their emotional growth and how they form relationships in the future.
Communication is a key skill that is important for a child’s personal, academic, and social growth. At Cambridge Kinderland, we understand how important it is to help students develop strong communication skills from a young age. In this article, we’ll share nine practical tips to improve communication skills in children and help them succeed.
What are the types of communication?
Communication comes in two types: verbal and nonverbal.
Verbal communication- is how we use words to communicate, and it includes:
- How your voice sounds (pitch and tone)
- The words you choose to say
- Speaking in a way your child understands (dialect).
Nonverbal communication- is how we send messages without words, through body language, both on purpose and without thinking. This includes:
- Facial expressions
- Making eye contact
- Keeping personal space
- Using hand gestures
- Physical touch like giving a hug
Here are eight tips to help kids practice their communication skills:
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Active listening
Why it Matters:
Active listening helps children feel valued, heard, and understood. It builds their sense of safety and connection with you, strengthening your bond.
How to Implement:
Show you’re engaged by smiling, nodding, and using gestures while they speak. Get down to their eye level for a closer connection. Ask open-ended questions like “what?”, “why?”, and “how?” Encourage them to share more details to help them practice communication skills like storytelling.
2. Encourage clear and simple communication
Why it Matters:
Clear and simple communication helps children express their ideas effectively without confusion or repetition, which is important for both everyday conversations and academic success.
How to Implement:
Encourage your child to organize their thoughts before speaking or writing. For younger children, ask them to summarize their ideas in one or two sentences before giving more details. For older children, have them practice summarizing key points after conversations or lessons to strengthen this skill.
3. Reflective listening
Why it Matters:
Reflective listening demonstrates to your child that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say, helping them feel valued and understood. This approach encourages open communication and allows them to express their feelings without fear of judgment.
How to Implement:
Practice by repeating back what your child says in your own words, like a mirror. For example, if they say, “I’m not playing with Marco anymore,” you could respond, “You’re not playing with your friend?” This technique creates a safe space for your child to share more about their feelings and thoughts.
4. Promote Peer Interaction
Why it Matters: Talking with friends helps children practice their communication skills and learn from one another.
How to Implement: Organize group activities, discussions, and team projects that let children interact with their peers. Encourage them to take turns when speaking and to actively join in group conversations.
5. Develop emotional intelligence
Why it Matters:
Helping your child identify and name their feelings is essential for their emotional understanding. It allows them to express themselves clearly and fosters empathy, making them more aware of their emotions and those of others.
How to Implement:
Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and listen to them with empathy, without judgment. Try to understand their perspective. If they express their emotions non verbally, like through a tantrum or laughter, assist them in finding words to describe their feelings, such as happy, sad, relaxed, hurt, scared, hungry, proud, sleepy, angry, helpless, irritated, embarrassed, or joyful.
6. Encourage Public Speaking Opportunities
Why It Matters:
Public speaking helps your child gain confidence and develop strong communication skills, equipping them for situations where clear and effective expression is essential.
How to Implement:
Encourage your child to join activities like debates, drama clubs, or school presentations. At home, create chances for practice by having them present a favorite topic at family gatherings or collaborate on preparing speeches together.
7. Model Effective Communication
Why it Matters: Children learn by watching others, so it’s important to show them how to communicate respectfully and with empathy.
How to Implement: Show good communication skills in your interactions with children and others. Use positive words, listen actively, and communicate respectfully to set a good example.
8. Focus on Behavior
Why it Matters:
Focusing on behavior helps your child understand what they need to improve without feeling like they are being attacked personally. This way, they can work on changing their actions while still feeling good about themselves.
How to Implement:
When you’re upset with your child, make sure your comments address their behavior instead of criticizing them as a person. For example, say, “I don’t like it when you leave your clothes all over the floor,” instead of “I don’t like that you are messy.” This helps them see what specific behavior needs to change.
At Cambridge Kinderland– Preschool/Playschool, we understand how important these skills are and make sure to teach them to our students from an early age. Through activities like public speaking, group discussions, and creative writing, we help our students learn to express themselves clearly and confidently. By providing a supportive environment, Cambridge Kinderland helps students become good communicators, ready for the challenges and opportunities in their future.
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