Effective communication is at the heart of any healthy relationship. The same is true when it comes to parenting. Positive parent-child communication is a vital part of every healthy parent-child relationship. When communication is open, it helps to foster a more loving and warm connection in your family and mutual respect between parents and children.

Parent-child communication is a two-way street, and here are a few ways to help you improve communication with your child:

Understand how your child communicates

Kids are surprisingly complex creatures. They use an entire arsenal of non-verbal cues to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and desires. These include facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and gestures. Some kids are more vocal about their thoughts and feelings, while others are more reserved.

As parents, it’s crucial that we understand how our children communicate so we can determine the most effective way to speak to them. Whether your child is the quiet or the outspoken type, it’s crucial that your little one feels comfortable coming to talk to you about anything. Knowing how children best communicate will also help you find the best approach when trying to connect with them.

It’s also important for you to understand how your child prefers to communicate with others. For example, does your child communicate well in school? Does your child enjoy spending time with friends and talking with them with ease? Or does your child tend to be more reserved around people outside of the family?

Don’t force communication if it doesn’t come naturally. Parenting is a learning process that requires patience on both sides, from parents as well as children. It’s natural for kids to require some time to warm up before opening up during conversations. If you push too much, this can make them want to pull away. Don’t be afraid of silence when talking with children. It’s important to give them space and allow this quiet time in order to encourage them to open up when they’re ready.

Avoid lecturing

Parenting is not easy, and nobody said it would be. No matter how skilled you are as a parent, there will be moments of your parenting journey that are overwhelming, and times when you need your child to listen and understand what you’re saying. In these moments, it’s important to remember not to lecture your child. As tempting as it may be, lecturing is never helpful. In fact, it may even do more harm than good to your relationship with your child. Being lectured can even cause children to shut down communication completely.

During those times when you feel like you’re hitting a communication wall, it’s best to set the discussion aside and revisit the topic again later when you’re both ready.

Listen to your child, even if you disagree

Parenting is about teaching and guiding kids through life. At the same time, parents need to remember that children are human beings with opinions of their own. While their opinion matters but may differ from your own, make sure you listen when your children speak, even if your judgment dictates otherwise. When you truly listen to children, it sends a message that no matter how much your views may differ, you still respect them enough as individuals who can think for themselves and express their thoughts and feelings freely, without fear of judgment.

Encourage communication through play

Parent-child communication is not limited to serious discussions. You can also accomplish a lot with simple games too! By playing together, you are able to bond and connect with your child as you create a warm and loving environment.

Strike up conversations between activities

Can you recall the last time you had a good conversation with your child? How did it go? What were you doing at the time? Perhaps you were driving your little one to school, sharing a meal together, or getting your child ready for bed.

Regular daily activities are excellent opportunities to connect with your child. Talking throughout the day is a great way to encourage your child to open up. The key is not to wait for the perfect time but make an effort to connect when possible.

Focusing on the quality of your communication with your child can help improve the quality of your relationship. Practice these habits to help you communicate and connect better with your child, which will strengthen the foundation of your relationship.

For more parenting tips, or if you’re looking for the right child care center for your child, please visit Young Scholars Academy.

 

Early childhood education begins as early as infancy and goes until children reach kindergarten. This is an important time when it comes to children’s development. Exposure to their environment, hearing sounds, and learning the building blocks of language all play key roles in your child’s growth and development during this period. This post answers the question, “Why is early childhood education important?” 

Throughout these early years, early childhood education programs are beneficial as they help children start to build the foundational skills they’ll need for school. 

Why is Early Childhood Education Important?

Improved academic performance

According to studies, kids who attend early childhood education programs become stronger students when they reach the K-12 levels.  Before children enter kindergarten, they have already begun learning the basics of math and reading.

Another study from Harvard has shown that early childhood education lessens the need for children to receive special education services, and boosts the chances of successfully graduating from high school.

Other research reveals complementary results in terms of graduation statistics and academic performance. 

Promotes lifelong learning

Among the powerful advantages of early childhood education is that it instills a love of learning that can last for a lifetime. During children’s preschool years, they discover the world around them. This is made possible through fun games and activities during lessons.

When children are exposed to knowledge from an earlier age, it creates a sense of curiosity to learn and find out new things. Their thirst for knowledge increases as well. Children who attend early childhood education programs tend to also display increased confidence and self-esteem.

Improves socialization

Social skills of kids who take part in an early childhood education tend to be stronger. Little ones acquire necessary life skills, including sharing, listening, and taking turns with other children.

Preschool teachers lead lessons through a variety of games, stories, rhymes, and other activities that foster appropriate social interactions among children. Play is an essential part of learning the social skills needed to interact with others throughout their lives.

Kids also learn how to express their emotions effectively and clearly through social interactions. Whether they’re happy, sad, or angry, enhanced social skills enable them to more effectively manage their feelings. When children are together in a group, it enhances their listening skills. And since there are more children than adults in the classroom, children learn the importance of taking turns as well.

Increased attention span

Research has proven that children tend to learn more new things during their younger years. Their concentration is typically shorter than those who reach kindergarten and beyond. Currently, maintaining children’s focus can be even more challenging for parents because of the ease of accessibility of technology. This is why it’s important to give children an early start on their education, this can boost the amount of information they can retain in the long run.

Provides STEM skills foundation

During the preschool years, children are exposed to STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering). They can boost their STEM skills and analytical skills through early exposure to these subject areas.

STEM jobs will always be in high demand. That’s why it’s important to enrich children’s interest in these subjects.

When looking for an early childhood education program, ensure that your chosen school and teachers have the necessary tools to encourage children to learn about STEM concepts. 

Little ones are often further inspired when learning in a group. As they see other children working hard at an activity, they tend to be motivated to do the same. In a group setting, children must exert concentration and effort in order to complete a challenging task.

Improves creativity

Most children love to paint, make arts and crafts, and get messy! The great thing about early childhood education programs is that they give children plenty of opportunities to be messy and creative. Art projects are an essential element of early childhood programs. 

Another way to enhance children’s creativity is through music. Early childhood development programs feature classes that involve singing, dancing, clapping, and other exciting activities that can help with children’s fine motor skills. Singing is a great way to establish coordination between the brain and body. Creative activities are excellent for a child’s overall development. 

Keeps children healthy and active

Children can become bored easily when they sit in one place for extended periods of time. That’s why education experts are backing the development of curriculum and programs that focus on learning through physical activities.

When kids go to schools that instill the importance of movement, they learn to be healthy and active. Early childhood programs will expose your child to activities where they can run around and explore their surroundings.

Whether children are engaged in active sports or merely playing tag with their friends, the most important goal is that they are moving. Providing activities that promote an active lifestyle helps children in the long run.

Lifetime benefits

The takeaways from early childhood education lead to lifelong benefits  for children. Overall success, healthy growth, and development are all linked to the overall positive effect it will have on your child.

At Young Scholars Academy, we understand the many benefits of a quality early childhood education program. Our programs are built around children’s lifelong success. Contact us today for more information.