The Art of Having a Conversation with Your Child

Listen More Than You Talk

Listening is a skill that needs to be taught, but it can also be learned by example. Show your child that it is important to listen when someone is speaking by following the 80/20 rule—listen 80 percent of the time and speak 20 percent of the time. This will help you create an environment where both you and your child feel like they can share what they think without being shut down or judged.

Encourage Open-Ended Questions

When conversing with your child, ask open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. This will help encourage further discussion and give your child an opportunity to express their thoughts in their own words. When asking open-ended questions, try not to make any assumptions about their answer as this may limit their response. Instead, allow them time to think about what they want to say before responding.

Don’t Interrupt or Judge

It can be difficult for children (and adults!) to express themselves without feeling judged or interrupted. Give your child space and time to explore their thoughts without interruption or judgment from you so they can feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of criticism or disapproval. It is important not only for them but also for you as well—an interruptive parent can lead a child to become frustrated and resentful towards parents who don't take the time to really listen or understand what they are saying.

Having conversations with your child rather than just talking at them can help create an environment where both parties feel heard and understood while learning valuable communication skills such as listening and understanding another person’s perspective. We all want our children to grow up feeling safe enough to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas openly; implementing the tips outlined above will set the foundation for building strong communication skills that will last well into adulthood!