Types of Communication Skills The basic skills of communication can be dividing into 4 main areas:...

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Types of Communication Skills The basic skills of communication can be dividing into 4 main areas: Nonverbal Thinking Speaking Listening Effective Communication Strategies Start communicating while children are very young Commun icate at the child's level both verbally(e.g. age appropriate language) and - physically (e.g. kneeling down)! Learn how to really listen be attentive, and a good active listener! Listen with a closed mouth Make and maintain eye contact Let your child know they have been heard Ask questions Model expressing your own feelings and ideas when you communicate "I messages" Regularly schedule family meetings or time to talk - such as dinners Admit it when you are wrong or unsure about something Provide simple and clear explanations - use Negative Communication Habits to Avoid Communication Blockers can stop the flow of communication between people: Interrupting Name Calling Blaming Dominating the conversation Avoiding or Ignoring what others are saying Telling children how to solve problems instead of supporting, guiding, helping, etc. Putting your child down Sarcasm Threats Nagging/Lecturing Criticizing Dwelling on the past Control through guilt Lying Denying children's feelings Communication Builders for Parents & Children I'd love to hear what you are thinking Tell me more about that I'm listening! I understand What do you think about? Would you like to talk about Is there anything else you would like to add? That's interesting! Wow! I'm interested! I can see why you feel that way/think that/etc. Explain that to me... Thank you for sharing that with me! I can see that this conversation is taking a turn, can we come back to it later when we have had a break? Ways to Encourage Good Behaviour Be a Role Model Communicate clearly Show your child how you feel Catch your child being 'good' Get down on your child's level Create an environment for good behaviour Give children responsibility Offer choices for them Give your child the change to succeed Celebrate their successes - clapping, high 5s, hugs, thumbs up, etc. Give praise often Routines Rewards Keep busy and have fun! What makes discipline effective? 1. Respect: Discipline that is harsh - such as name-calling, insults, shouting, humiliation does not demonstrate respect for the child, and it also makes it difficult for the child to learn to respect their own parents (and others!) and develop trust. 2. Consistency: Discipline that is not consistent is confusing for children. Inconsistency, such as sometimes giving in to tantrums, have the opposite impact and actually reward and encourage unwanted behaviour. 3. Fairness: Children need to see discipline as fair - where the consequences for their actions actually relates to the unwanted behaviour. E.g. If your child leaves a mess, the consequence can be cleaning the mess - no further punishment is needed! Types of Communication Skills The basic skills of communication can be dividing into 4 main areas: Nonverbal Thinking Speaking Listening Effective Communication Strategies Start communicating while children are very young Commun icate at the child's level both verbally(e.g. age appropriate language) and - physically (e.g. kneeling down)! Learn how to really listen be attentive, and a good active listener! Listen with a closed mouth Make and maintain eye contact Let your child know they have been heard Ask questions Model expressing your own feelings and ideas when you communicate "I messages" Regularly schedule family meetings or time to talk - such as dinners Admit it when you are wrong or unsure about something Provide simple and clear explanations - use Negative Communication Habits to Avoid Communication Blockers can stop the flow of communication between people: Interrupting Name Calling Blaming Dominating the conversation Avoiding or Ignoring what others are saying Telling children how to solve problems instead of supporting, guiding, helping, etc. Putting your child down Sarcasm Threats Nagging/Lecturing Criticizing Dwelling on the past Control through guilt Lying Denying children's feelings Communication Builders for Parents & Children I'd love to hear what you are thinking Tell me more about that I'm listening! I understand What do you think about? Would you like to talk about Is there anything else you would like to add? That's interesting! Wow! I'm interested! I can see why you feel that way/think that/etc. Explain that to me... Thank you for sharing that with me! I can see that this conversation is taking a turn, can we come back to it later when we have had a break? Ways to Encourage Good Behaviour Be a Role Model Communicate clearly Show your child how you feel Catch your child being 'good' Get down on your child's level Create an environment for good behaviour Give children responsibility Offer choices for them Give your child the change to succeed Celebrate their successes - clapping, high 5s, hugs, thumbs up, etc. Give praise often Routines Rewards Keep busy and have fun! What makes discipline effective? 1. Respect: Discipline that is harsh - such as name-calling, insults, shouting, humiliation does not demonstrate respect for the child, and it also makes it difficult for the child to learn to respect their own parents (and others!) and develop trust. 2. Consistency: Discipline that is not consistent is confusing for children. Inconsistency, such as sometimes giving in to tantrums, have the opposite impact and actually reward and encourage unwanted behaviour. 3. Fairness: Children need to see discipline as fair - where the consequences for their actions actually relates to the unwanted behaviour. E.g. If your child leaves a mess, the consequence can be cleaning the mess - no further punishment is needed!