All parents want to be able to talk to their children about anything. If your school-aged children are having difficulty at school or with friends, or when it comes time for ‘the talk’ with your teens, having a relationship founded on strong communication will make these tough conversations easier. The best way to prepare for these conversations early is to build this communicative relationship early. This Parenting Tip of the Week is all about giving you some concrete steps to start building these communication skills with your toddler.
Praise, or showing positive attention to your child after they do something good, is critical to a strong relationship. This is true for several reasons. First, when you praise your child’s good behavior, your child will do those behaviors more often. Second, praise helps build your child’s self-esteem, makes them feel good and helps young children see their parents as a source of happiness and good feelings.
According to the experts at the CDC, when praising your child it’s best to use labeled praise. This type of praise refers to specifically mentioning to your child what it is exactly that you liked about their behavior. Some examples of labeled praise include:
Hearing and listening are two very different things. You can help build a strong relationship with your child by giving them your full attention when they are sharing something with you. When children know that you are interested in what they have to say, they are more willing to share more with you, now and in the future.
You can show your child that you are actively listening to them in several ways.
Remember, praise and active listening are but two ways that you can build a strong relationship with your child. For more information and ideas about ways to practice good communication with your child, watch this video from the CDC.
What have you done to build a strong and communicative relationship with your child? Let us know by tweeting us @PCAAmerica or by leaving a comment on our Facebook page!
Developing the social and emotional skills of children is a critical way to ensure that they grow up into healthy, well-adjusted adults. Here are six suggestions for ways that parents can promote social and emotional learning over summer break.
One way to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up feeling safe and loved is to make an effort to learn about and promote the protective factors in your family and in your community.
Did you know that little interactions, like blowing raspberries on a baby’s stomach, can actually help build the foundation of your child’s brain? This Parenting Tip is about how you can support your child’s growing brain and set your child up for a lifetime of success.
