Family communication is a growing issue today. The demands of work and TV, the Internet and other distractions can keep us from connecting to each other. For many families just removing the barriers created by distractions can produce an environment where communication skills grow. This means to teach family communication skills you need to cultivate a conversational time and place. Creating this "space" can seem difficult or awkward, but in reality, there are a lot of great ways to create it. One effective and fun way to teach family communication skills is during a family game night.
Game Night
Step 1
Set a weekly time for your game night. Be consistent and don't miss a game night.
Step 2
Choose a game that is fun but will allow for conversation. Getting the whole family involved in planning and setting up the game night is an exercise in itself, teaching cooperation and compromise.
Step 3
During play ask questions about your family members' lives. This can include questions about school, work, friends or aspirations. Asking questions shows care for your family members.
Step 4
Actively listen to your family members. Ask follow up questions, maintain eye contact and show you're interested in them.
Step 5
Be the example. Maintain a positive and respectful tone that communicates you care about your family. This example will spread to the other family members.
Step 6
Encourage other family members when they ask questions and participate in the conversation.
Step 7
Follow up throughout the week on the topics that came up during the game night.
Family Meals
Step 1
Schedule the nights where the whole family will eat together. Most families wont be able to do every night of the week. Try to have at least two nights a week.
Step 2
Start dinner at the same time every week. Assign roles and tasks to other family members to help build teamwork and communication skills.
Step 3
Eat dinner together. This is a time to enjoy each others company, and unplug from the world.
Step 4
Facilitate conversation among your family members. Communication skills are taught by example, and through application. Ask open ended questions, and encourage other family members to participate.
Step 5
Clean up together. This clean up time is important to once again help teach cooperation among family members.
Tips and Warnings
- Building communication skills is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and be consistent. Turn your phone off. Most families have a lot of activities that may take up evenings. Try to have consistent family dinners, but be sensitive to other members' schedules. A lot of teaching family communication revolves around being a good role model. Be consistent, and show the family that game night and dinner are important. At first it may be difficult to get everyone in the family on board; don't get discouraged.
