4 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Communication Skills

Families maintain a hectic pace. With the 24/7 demands of an always-on professional world and the pressure of staying on top of school work, sports, and evening activities, it’s easy for the communication between parent and child to turn into a series of commands and responses. “Finish your homework! Grab your hockey bag!” However, it’s important to remember that we lay the foundation for our children’s communication and social skills early on.

Have lots of conversations.

Italian educators describe the give and take of a conversation as a ball being thrown back and forth between two people. Just like throwing and catching, children need to learn how to have a conversation by practicing. A child who can have a fluid conversation is a child who can tell a story--and that is the beginning of writing.

Open-ended questions that require thought and that act as a starting point for discussions are a great way to engage your child in thoughtful conversation. Why do you think the snow sticks to the ground? Why do you think that activity is challenging for you? You’ll be amazed what you learn.

Don’t water down your vocabulary too much when you talk to children. A robust active vocabulary is a wonderful gift for a child, and the more words they have in their word bank when they start school, the better.