Simple Tips

September 6, 2007 | Print

Communicating with Kids

We’re often asked how we teach our children to communicate with us.

The foundation is simply talking and listening to them from the very beginning.

For babies, telling them what we’re doing before we do it–I’m going to pick you up, it’s time to change your diaper, we’re getting in the car now.

With toddlers, listening to their words, watching their gestures and reflecting back our observations–you see the blue car, you want the ball, the dog’s wagging his tail.

And preschoolers tend to engage us in conversation more than we do with them. We give less talkative kids space (away from siblings when possible), listen well and when they’re ready they share their thoughts.

Some ways we communicate with kids:

• Listen and observe.
• Reflect back what we observe.
• Talk in simple phrases, using our regular tone and words.

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