Children often live in their own world and as adults; parents may not be able to understand this. Adults usually become practical and their activities are logically based. However, children have their own little ways of looking at the world and they keep seeking for activities that their system demands.
Same is the case with communication. Adults have a logical way of communicating, which is based on facts and can be made to follow orders. In case of children, they can be dealt with by treating with utmost care and attention.
You can help
You might wonder that why should small children worry about their respect and self esteem. But it is not so, children are as much concerned about their self respect as you are. Hence giving them due respect while communicating with them is the key to success.
Some of the ways in which parents can help are:
- Listening to your children – Being attentive to your child’s needs is very important. When your children are talking to you, make sure you give your full attention to them and make them feel important. Many a times small children imitate elders and show that they too are busy and need to be attended at once. Try to fulfill this demand whenever possible and show that you care for what they have to share with you.
- Watch out on expressions – Children are very good at reading your expressions and body language. If they are approaching you and you happen to react in an unwelcoming way, they can easily get wrong signals and it may even lead to them not sharing things with you. This is often the complaint of many children whose parents are often busy and the children may begin to feel neglected.
- Being available – Find out situations when your children need you the most and be available for them, attend to their needs and show that your care for them. Your concern for them can make them feel happy and will help to foster a strong bonding too. Not only when they are ill and need more care but also look out for simple life experiences that they might find disturbing. Be with them and provide comfort to them and help them tackle the situation with ease.
- Talking to children – Listen to what your children have to say and provide them with ways to solve the problem and be with them. Read between lines as they may not disclose everything. Talking will help while threatening or criticizing will only worsen the condition. Avoid extreme arguments and conversations as children might end up learning the same thing.
