You must teach your child communication skills

It’s sad to think that there are children today who thinks good communications skills consists of knowing the best social media sites and being able to text in class without taking your eyes of the teacher. They can only communicate if they are behind their smart phone screens, they don’t know how to have real relationships with real people in real life.

Being able to communicate effectively is an essential life skill. Studies have shown that people who communicate effectively are, amongst others, happier and more successful academically. The best way to teach children something is to try and make it fun, involve all 5 of their senses where possible. Some parents tend to think that a child’s language, speech and communication skills are just something that will develop automatically. This is unfortunately not true. Communication skills underline everything we do, and children don’t necessarily learn to talk automatically. Adults play a vital role in developing these skills.

A study found that 55 % of how a presentation is perceived, is dependent on non-verbal communication. As our children grow up, some parents focus on their verbal communication skills without considering the importance of non-verbal communication. Children can learn a lot about non-verbal communication through the way they express their emotions. Encourage them to express their emotions by making use of appropriate verbal, as well as, non-verbal cues.

During the preschool years, your child will be immersed in a world of formal and informal learning opportunities. A critical ingredient for success is language and communication skills, not just for learning concepts and skills, but also in getting along with others. Communication Skills for children are essential for them to interact with others and to have their needs met. Communication development for young children also includes the gaining of skills to understand and express feelings and thoughts.

• Read or tell stories to your child and discuss the stories together afterwards;
  
• Ask questions to your child which will allow your child to make and express a choice;
  
• Always model good listening behaviour when your child talks to you; e.g. pause an activity you were busy with and make eye contact.
  
• Make time EACH DAY to talk and listen to your child.
  
• Put an effort into teaching your child new words and their meaning.
  
• Encourage your child to make use of as many words as possible to describe something and not just use gestures.
  
• If you have a 4-year-old, this is a great age for expanding on your child’s communication through roleplay – roleplay different situations with him/her through which they can learn new ways of communicating. The best is to create situations which do not occur every day.
  
• Have your child talk to you about something he/she is interested in, but make a rule that your child is not allowed to say things like “er”, “um”, “yes”. The more often you do this the more words you must add which may not be said.
  

• Do a presentation: Help your child find different pictures of something he or she really likes. Put it into a presentation and have your child give a presentation to your family or friends.
  
• Use different pictures and have your child describe everything he/she sees in the picture and make up stories about certain pictures.
  
• Tell a story to your child only half way and ask him/her to tell how he/she think the rest of the story goes.
  
• Regularly ask your child to tell you about his/her day;
  
• Remember to talk “with” your kids and not “at” them.
  
• Ask questions which will require them to answer with more than just a “yes” or “no”.