Ten Tips On How To Talk To Children by Susanna Beech

1. When children start to talk to you, as soon as possible, stop what your doing.
   Listen to what they are saying, children forget very quickly what they want to say.

2. If you can't stop immediately, make sure you ask them to wait by your side for a minute or two.
   Or ask them to tell you in one word what's it about so you can remind them when you go back to them in a few minutes what they wanted to tell you.

3. Listen to what they have to say completely before interrupting.
   Children will often self correct and this is far more beneficial to their growth and development than being corrected prematurley.

4. When they have finished ask questions to get further detail and information.
   Children often only give a few ideas, but they can give you a lot more information if you prompt them. This helps them develop their language and creative skills.

5. Ask children what they did today, give them some ideas to start with.
   For example, what did you play at lunchtime. Did you win any points for your group today. Did you do maths today, how did you go.

6. Ask children how they feel about something.
   Let them tell you and ask them why they feel that way, help them to discover their own identity and views on things.

7. Create opportunity to talk to children.
   Have set times of the day when your child gets used to having dialogue with you. e.g. at afternoon tea time, before they go to sleep. Children love routine and will respond to the opportunity to have dialogue with you.

8. When you watching television or reading a book with your child.
   Stop and ask them to tell you what they understand about certain aspects of what they are listening to. This will help them to develop their comprehension skills.

9. Talk to children about their future.
   For example, ask them what they want to be when they grow up, what they want to do over the hristmas holidays, what their dreams are. This helps them to understand that they can achieve their goals and dreams.

10. Listen to children with the knowledge that they can be inspirational and completely amazing in what they say and think.
    Their ideas are often simplisticly refreshing, listen and let your children help you to be reflective and thankful to be alive.

Thanks to Rachel's Reflections' subscriber Susanna Beech.

Further Information

Also available the CD set: "Be a winner at dinner." This helps in developing conversation skills with people of all ages.

May you find absolute joy in talking with your children.
Best wishes,
Rachel Green
PO Box 344, Kelmscott, Western Australia 6991.
Phone: +61 8 9390 1188. Fax +61 8 9390 1199
E-mail: