Communication is a need in our daily life. We communicate with languages, many different kinds of languages in this world. This also includes sign-language and some might not even notice that body-languages could send out messages to other people.
There are many different approaches to teaching children to communicate. Sometimes, it is not of that important to get children to say a complete sentence, BUT the message that they are trying to SAY to you, especially to parents. It is upsetting if parents finds it so difficult to understand what their children are trying to explain, when there are barriers to communicate, such would be not being able to produce words properly or could be that they are still babies. However, it is useful to know that one could overcome this, if parents starts using sign languages to their children especially babies. This is a very interesting topic which I would like to cover in another entry, soon.
As for this entry, I would like to stress a number of thing, taken from the famous book, ‘RAISING BOYS by Steve Biddulph’. I have been promoting this book to friends whom feels that there is a need to understand their children (especially boys). There is another version of this book especially for girls, ‘RAISING GIRLS’. Also recommended. (I’d like to THANK my close friend, Dr. Wan Fariza & Husband for sharing with me this, otherwise, I wouldn’t have known.)
So, what is the best way to encourage communication with our children? These are some tips taken from Steve Biddulph famous book: Raising Boys:
1. ‘Talk them up – One step at a time’
Steve explained how important it is that us parents encourage our children to talk by adding one word extra on top of what they are saying. An example would be, say, Adam says,”Mommy, Cat!” Mommy says, ”Yes Adam, Yellow Cat!”. Here, not only the mother is responding to her son, but also introducing a new word ‘YELLOW’ and also describing the cat by its colour.
If our children are able to make longer sentence like, Mia says, “Mia’s Duckie!” Mommy says, “Yes, this is Mia’s Duckie, Quack! Quack!” Here, mom adds more words on top of what Mia had already said. Its adding up to Mia’s vocabulary list too.
Well, it is not as hard as it seem. But practises would be great for parents to make a start on this. You can do it anywhere! In the car, in the market, while shopping for groceries, anywhere! Just start encouraging them. Even if you think your baby is still to young to speak, just talk to them always. You will be surprised that they are actually listening and building up their vocabulary list, which is equally as important as anything else.
2. ‘Explain things to children, every chance you can’
On top of what I have just explained above, this is another way to encourage communication. Always TALK whenever you can, wherever you are. I know, it is tiring sometime for parents whom are working. But, they are your children, and it is a great investment to build up a good communicator later in life, ain’t it?
So, what to talk about? Anything! And this could be about EVERYTHING. And it could be as simple as explaining why the cat is licking its body or why you look so tired. Children are very curious and every single details actually awe them a lot! Even, dripping water would be so amazing to them. TRY IT OUT!
Example: Mommies could involve their children while they are cooking. Explaining why you’re chopping the onions, why you have to put oil in the pan, why is the cooker hot, why are you washing all the vegetables, anything! So, good luck!
3. ‘Read to your kids from an early age’
Another approach would be to encourage reading from the early age. Yes, as early as babies of a few months old, or if you have lots of free times, you could even start from the womb. It is amazing how quickly children adapts to the routine of reading before bed time.
Believe me! I’ve done it! It was hard for me to practise this in the first place. My mom always remind me of this. I never followed.. shame on me. But, living abroad kind of instil the culture of what they practise in school for my children. And it was amazingly great that my children are now holding books, waiting for me on the bed to read them. There would be a queue of books waiting to be read, but the power is in your hand. Limit them according to your strength. (I know most parents would be tired of working stresses in the office). ;D
But yes! A good approach to building up their communication skills, confidence, building up their word knowledge, sentence structure, describing things and so on. Make it a HABIT! Try now, you will get there eventually.
So, I guess, that would be it for the time being. I will try and share more of what I know on children. As for the book, I highly recommend you get them! If you need some translation (Malay), please do not hesitate to contact us. I’d be more than happy to help you out. Or, if you need some particular advice on this matter, please do contact us too. Or leave your messages here, in the comments sections. Thank you.
p.a.m.z
There are many different approaches to teaching children to communicate. Sometimes, it is not of that important to get children to say a complete sentence, BUT the message that they are trying to SAY to you, especially to parents. It is upsetting if parents finds it so difficult to understand what their children are trying to explain, when there are barriers to communicate, such would be not being able to produce words properly or could be that they are still babies. However, it is useful to know that one could overcome this, if parents starts using sign languages to their children especially babies. This is a very interesting topic which I would like to cover in another entry, soon.
As for this entry, I would like to stress a number of thing, taken from the famous book, ‘RAISING BOYS by Steve Biddulph’. I have been promoting this book to friends whom feels that there is a need to understand their children (especially boys). There is another version of this book especially for girls, ‘RAISING GIRLS’. Also recommended. (I’d like to THANK my close friend, Dr. Wan Fariza & Husband for sharing with me this, otherwise, I wouldn’t have known.)
So, what is the best way to encourage communication with our children? These are some tips taken from Steve Biddulph famous book: Raising Boys:
1. ‘Talk them up – One step at a time’
Steve explained how important it is that us parents encourage our children to talk by adding one word extra on top of what they are saying. An example would be, say, Adam says,”Mommy, Cat!” Mommy says, ”Yes Adam, Yellow Cat!”. Here, not only the mother is responding to her son, but also introducing a new word ‘YELLOW’ and also describing the cat by its colour.
If our children are able to make longer sentence like, Mia says, “Mia’s Duckie!” Mommy says, “Yes, this is Mia’s Duckie, Quack! Quack!” Here, mom adds more words on top of what Mia had already said. Its adding up to Mia’s vocabulary list too.
Well, it is not as hard as it seem. But practises would be great for parents to make a start on this. You can do it anywhere! In the car, in the market, while shopping for groceries, anywhere! Just start encouraging them. Even if you think your baby is still to young to speak, just talk to them always. You will be surprised that they are actually listening and building up their vocabulary list, which is equally as important as anything else.
2. ‘Explain things to children, every chance you can’
On top of what I have just explained above, this is another way to encourage communication. Always TALK whenever you can, wherever you are. I know, it is tiring sometime for parents whom are working. But, they are your children, and it is a great investment to build up a good communicator later in life, ain’t it?
So, what to talk about? Anything! And this could be about EVERYTHING. And it could be as simple as explaining why the cat is licking its body or why you look so tired. Children are very curious and every single details actually awe them a lot! Even, dripping water would be so amazing to them. TRY IT OUT!
Example: Mommies could involve their children while they are cooking. Explaining why you’re chopping the onions, why you have to put oil in the pan, why is the cooker hot, why are you washing all the vegetables, anything! So, good luck!
3. ‘Read to your kids from an early age’
Another approach would be to encourage reading from the early age. Yes, as early as babies of a few months old, or if you have lots of free times, you could even start from the womb. It is amazing how quickly children adapts to the routine of reading before bed time.
Believe me! I’ve done it! It was hard for me to practise this in the first place. My mom always remind me of this. I never followed.. shame on me. But, living abroad kind of instil the culture of what they practise in school for my children. And it was amazingly great that my children are now holding books, waiting for me on the bed to read them. There would be a queue of books waiting to be read, but the power is in your hand. Limit them according to your strength. (I know most parents would be tired of working stresses in the office). ;D
But yes! A good approach to building up their communication skills, confidence, building up their word knowledge, sentence structure, describing things and so on. Make it a HABIT! Try now, you will get there eventually.
So, I guess, that would be it for the time being. I will try and share more of what I know on children. As for the book, I highly recommend you get them! If you need some translation (Malay), please do not hesitate to contact us. I’d be more than happy to help you out. Or, if you need some particular advice on this matter, please do contact us too. Or leave your messages here, in the comments sections. Thank you.
p.a.m.z
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