Empowering Tomorrow's Voices, Today! How You Can Help Your Kid’s Communication And Increase Their Odds of Success
“Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, moooooooommmmm!” As a mother, I remember all too well the incessant calling for me. “Mom, look, look, loooook!” “Mom, Donna is biting me!” “Mom, I’m hungry!” “Mom, mom, mom. MOM!”
It happened so often that eventually I learned how to mute the sound and just go about my day, doing what I needed to do to get food on the table. If there is ever a regret that I have now it is that I didn’t take MORE time to listen to and interact with my kids. I was a very involved and loving mother and spent a lot of time teaching my kids how to be good, responsible humans, but I also ran businesses that took up a lot of my time and, let’s face it, kids demand a lot of time and attention. I felt like I did not have enough of myself to go around. My children were fortunate in that my mother-in-law lived with us and helped out with the kids but today, many are not so fortunate and I honestly don't know how couples (and single parents) can raise kids while still earning a living, managing a household, and a myriad other responsibilities. There is not enough time to manage each effectively and many sacrifice valuable time with their kids. Many reason that they are doing enough for them by providing a roof over their heads and food on the table. But it is not enough!
I so wish that I could tell young parents to hold off until they are in a place where they can support their family without two parents having to work and to devote time to their kids as they grow up. Those years go by so fast and their impact lasts a lifetime. I know this is controversial but there are more than adequate statistics that prove that children raised in healthy, two-parent homes, ideally with one parent at home, are better off than those living in single-parent homes, or two parent homes where both work and have little time for their kids.
Whatever your situation, you can help your kids learn how to become better communicators by modeling these skills for them. I can’t stress enough how important these skills are. Effective communication is a lifelong skill that can open doors to success and enrich personal relationships. As parents, you have a crucial role in nurturing your child’s communication and public speaking skills right at home. Here are some practical ways you can help your kids build these valuable skills from an early age.
Be a Role Model: Children learn by example. Demonstrate effective communication by actively listening to them, maintaining eye contact, and speaking clearly and respectfully. Your behavior sets the foundation for their own communication habits.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an open and welcoming environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to ask questions and engage in discussions on a wide range of topics. Listening attentively and valuing their input boosts their confidence.
Storytelling Time: Storytelling is a fantastic way to enhance communication skills. Spend time reading stories together and encourage your child to narrate their own tales. This not only improves their vocabulary but also helps them structure their thoughts and engage an audience.
Build Vocabulary: Expand your child’s vocabulary by introducing new words daily. Discuss their meanings, use them in sentences, and challenge your child to include them in their conversations.
Practice Active Listening: Teach your child the importance of active listening by asking them to summarize what they’ve heard in a conversation or from a story. Encourage them to ask questions for clarification. It’s important that you model these skills and practice active listening yourself.
Story Retelling: After reading a book or watching a movie, ask your child to retell the story in their words. This exercise helps them organize their thoughts and develop storytelling abilities.
Debates and Discussions: Engage in friendly debates or discussions about current events or topics of interest. Encourage your child to present their point of view, provide evidence, and listen to opposing perspectives.
Join Clubs or Classes: Enroll your child in public speaking or debate clubs, drama classes, or other extracurricular activities that encourage communication skills. These activities provide a structured environment for learning and practicing. Captivating Speakers for Kids is a great way for kids to learn these valuable skills with a group of their peers.
Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate your child’s speaking achievements, no matter how small. Offer praise for their effort, whether it’s delivering a confident show-and-tell presentation or articulating their feelings effectively.
By fostering a communication-rich environment at home and providing opportunities for practice, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop strong communication and public speaking skills. These skills will not only serve them well in school but will also empower them to excel in future endeavors, build meaningful relationships, and confidently share their ideas with the world.
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