Many parents have difficulty communicating with their children. Poor communication can lead to anger and frustration from the child and the parent. Many parents don't realize they are making basic mistakes when they are trying to communicate with their children. As a parent, you can employ very simple strategies to enhance communication between you and your child.
Down to His Level
When communicating with your child, you should always try to get on his level. With a young child, bend down so you can speak to him eye to eye. When parents stand over a child and yell, they only instill fear and discomfort in him. In addition, try to use simple words that your child can understand. Speaking to your child with adult language will only confuse him. If your child can understand what you are trying to communicate, he will be more apt to comply with your requests. In addition, getting down to your child's level shows that you respect him, because you are taking the time and effort to talk to him face to face instead of standing above him and yelling or barking out orders. This in turn leads him to respect you. Having respect for one another is extremely important for a healthy parent-child relationship.
Be Clear and Direct
Clarity when you give your child directions or pass along information is the key to communicating well with your child. According to the Family Guide by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children need to understand what the rules are and what the punishment will be if they break them. Being clear in the beginning leads to less stress, because everyone is on the same page about the definition of right and wrong and what to expect if the rules are broken. Also, being very direct about what you want your child to do is vital to communicating effectively. For example, don't just say "Clean your room." Instead, be specific and say, "Go make your bed, and pick up your toys." Reducing confusion about expectations also reduces the possibility of conflict.
Listen
Parents sometimes mistakenly believe that children should be told what to do and they should have no say in what the rules are. However, children need to know that they are heard. When a child is upset about something, she may cry and be difficult to understand. It is important to calm your child down and listen to what she is saying. Listening to your child and telling her that you hear and understand her is important for successful communication and encourages her to ask for your advice rather than turning to peers as she grows older.
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