Talking with kids…

Tips for Talking with Kids of All Ages:

• Communicate expectations with clear guidelines and boundaries.
• Maintain a controlled demeanor and calm tone of voice when talking with kids; avoid sarcasm.
• Communicate with empathy, honesty, patience, flexibility, respect, and openness.
• Remain consistent with your values, responses, decision making, and disciplining.
• Give your child time to unwind after school before jumping into a conversation.
• Use meal time, car time, everyday opportunities, and family time for dialogue.
• Use reflective listening when talking with kids; reflect back emotions and/or content of what is expressed.
• Maintain good eye contact, appropriate language, and warmth.
• If you are agitated, count to 10; communicate when you are calmer.
• Create an accepting, open environment.
• Make yourself available and accessible.
• Give yourself time to respond.
• Be real; don’t claim to be perfect.
• Be as non-judgmental as possible.
• Don’t bombard your child with questions.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Don’t beg for responses.
• Don’t lecture.
• Look for the humor in situations.
• Apologize when appropriate.
• Don’t be intimidated by a child’s attempt to create guilt feelings.
• Share some of your day.
• Live the golden rule.

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