Strong communication skills will benefit your child, not only whilst they are at school, but well into adulthood as well. These skills will allow your child to build relationships, become more confident, and perform well in school. There are a variety of ways in which you can help your child establish good communication skills from a very young age, as explored below by a nursery in Balham.
Set a Good Example
Children learn much of their behaviour by observing their parents and other influential people around them, so try to set a good example and demonstrate strong social skills. Show them how to have a healthy conversation by listening as well as speaking, and how to read body language. Treat people with kindness and respect, and your child will likely replicate this behaviour when having their own conversations.
Talk with Your Child
Young children don’t yet have the skills to maintain a long conversation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t chat to them all the same. Give them time to think about their response and make eye contact with them on their level, so that they know you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. You should also try and ask open-ended questions. These are questions that require more than a yes or no answer and will encourage your child to engage in a conversation with you.
Read with Your Child
Cuddling up together for storytime is not only a chance for you to bond with your child, but it will also help them with their language skills. They will be exposed to a range of new words, which they can add to their vocabulary and use to communicate.
Label their Emotions
Your child will find it easier to communicate their emotions if they know what these emotions are. So, if you notice that they are feeling a certain way, point it out to them. Here are some examples, “I can see that you are getting frustrated with your game, why don’t you take a break?” or “I know you’re feeling sad because Grandma went home, I will miss her too”.
Encourage Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-curricular activities will provide your child with an additional opportunity to meet new friends and practise communicating. There are a variety of other skills to be learnt by pursuing a hobby, so your child will become increasingly more confident as these skills progress.