Communication Tips For Parents

Link: http://www.creativetutors.com/b2evo/blog1.php

75% of students ages 10 to 13 tell us that they would like to talk more to their parents about schoolwork. Parents and children that talk about school and school events perform better academically.... Do you ask your child how their day was at school? Do you really listen to them when they begin to talk? Or does your child remain silent about their school day?

Tips to help you know how to communicate with your child.

Ask open ended questions about school every day~
Did anyone get in trouble with the teacher today? Is a great way to get kids talking!
Do not be satisfied with one word answers. Keep asking questions. Get them talking.

Follow up:

Use active listen skills to find out more about their day~
Control the desire to jump in and talk. Listen, give him time to talk and
share more with you.
Repeat what he has said and elicit more details.
Let your child have their own opinions different from yours and without judgment.
Help your child become comfortable talking to you.

Share your feelings too~
Talk about current events, news and your thoughts, goals and dreams.
Share your feelings allows children to lean to cope with their feelings by
modeling your behavior. Let them use you as their example.

VERY IMPORTANT~
Make yourself emotionally available at bedtime and listen again about their day.
Most often, a child will unload their troubles, worries, concerns right before bed!