When you are talking to kids, you may think you’re having a normal conversation. But before you know it, you’ll be going through the same conversation that lots of other parents have gone through when trying to get kids to listen. The thing is, talking to kids has nothing to do with how you talk to adults. It’s all about the way you handle yourself and the way the kids hear you. Let’s take a look at some tips for talking to children so that they actually listen.
Kids listen to adults for a whole host of reasons. When you’re talking to them, be as encouraging as possible. If you’re constantly questioning what they’re saying, they’ll pick up on this and be thinking about it the entire time. Kids are easily influenced by the people around them, so if you’re constantly questioning their actions or questioning what they’re thinking, they’re going to pick up on this. Asking questions like this will help the two of you communicate more effectively.
When you are talking to children, don’t use the “You said” kind of voice. Instead of saying, “So, did you learn the letter Z from homework?” say something like, “So, did you learn the letter Z from homework? Great job!” This gets the point across in a more encouraging way and also makes the kids feel good about themselves.
Children aren’t very good listeners. They only take in information that they hear and absorb what’s being said. By talking to them, you’re just reinforcing what they already know. When you’re talking to them, you’re more likely to find out something new.
The main point that you should always keep in mind when it comes to talking to kids is that they aren’t thinking at the time. The last thing they want to hear is you getting irritated because they weren’t paying attention when you were talking. Keep your tone calm and use a neutral tone of voice.
Another great tip for talking to kids is to get them involved. Ask them what they are thinking. Get them to analyze what they are listening to or seeing. Get them to describe what is happening so that they can get the full gist of what you are saying. Kids tend to listen better if you actually put some effort into what you are trying to say.
Children aren’t born with great listening skills, you have to teach them. If you’re not experienced with kids, start by asking them to repeat back what you are saying. Make sure they understand what you are trying to say before you have them repeat it again. For younger kids, you can make toys or puppets speak so that they feel as though they are part of the conversation. This will help them to listen more closely.
These tips for talking to kids aren’t all that difficult to do. You can easily apply these to your conversations with your own kids. With repetition, you can get better at talking to your kids and hopefully they’ll listen more carefully and understand what you are saying.
Explain something in a way that will make them feel interested. Kids naturally want to learn something new and will be more likely to pay attention if they are interested in what you are saying. Talk about something that kids find interesting but in a way that you can relate to. If your child isn’t into sports, explain that playing with a ball or team would be really fun. They’ll probably laugh and have a great time.
When you are talking with your kids, make sure to keep it short. Explain something once, then move on to another interesting topic. Explain something else, then make an interesting point about that subject, then bring it up again. Try not to bore them or make them feel bad if they don’t understand what you’re saying.
One other thing to remember when you are talking to kids is to be patient. You want them to listen, but you don’t want them to be bored or irritated by what you are saying. Explain something to them once, and that’s the end of it. Don’t bring it up again for at least two weeks. If your kid asks about it again, just give them the information and repeat what you just told them.
If you’ve read these tips for talking to children so that they actually listen, try to use them when you’re talking to your own kids. Kids are a lot more likely to listen to you if you show that you care about what they’re saying. This applies to adults, as well, not just kids. Explain something to your own kids, and then try not to repeat any of the tips for talking to children so that they actually listen. Then, make sure to be patient and talk to your kids like a parent would, explaining things as necessary.
