Communication is the primary requisite for bonding with others, expressing needs, and growth. Communication for toddlers is more meaningful and essential, beginning with their basic survival instinct, development, establishing relationships, to building a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Healthy communication is a two-way process comprising two important components of talking and listening. While a child needs to be taught to listen, it is essential to listen to the child to feel heard and acknowledged. Acknowledgment, being seen and heard build up healthy acceptance of oneself, forming a positive identity. The skill needs to be developed with encouragement and active participation from a very young age.
The top playschools in India recognize the importance of communication and introduce various methods that guide and encourage the toddlers to participate actively in the process.
Let us see some effectively proven methods of encouraging communication amongst toddlers. Schools in Ahmedabad encourage their faculty and parents to practice healthy communication with their wards.
- Illustrate: Learning begins at a very early age. The time where an infant begins recognizing faces and sounds. Setting a positive example for your infant by giving complete attention when talking with them. Teaching by example is the best way for a child to learn. Remember, children watch and learn.
- Bond well: Giving complete attention when you spend time with your child – talking and listening. Family meals and holidays are a good time to communicate as a family.
- Lend your ears: Make sure there are no or minimal distractions when you spend quality time with your child. Switching off your mobile phones, television, etc., is a good idea. This action will help establish the importance of healthy communication and encourage your child to communicate when you create time for them.
- Care for what they say: Make sure your child feels safe in expressing themselves. Encourage them to express and listen attentively to them without interruption, judgement, or criticism. When a child feels safe and accepted, they feel confident and valued, thereby instilling confidence and building their self-esteem.
- 3 T’s of healthy relationship: Talk, Talk and Talk. Be open to talking about all kinds of feelings and topics. Whether the feelings of anger, fear, joy, frustration, or anxiety. Do not discount your child’s feelings and help them understand and resolve whatever they feel and celebrate their joys and accomplishments. Open and honest conversations are important for establishing a healthy and trusting relationship with your child.
- Learn more about their body language: Often, a child is unable to or hesitant to express certain feelings and thoughts. Learn to cue in and read their body language and facial expressions. Be gentle and compassionate when you encounter an expression of fear, discomfort, anxiety, and such. Your gentle approach will help your child feel confident and secure to open up with you.
- Say ‘I love you’: Assure them of your unconditional support and love through your ups and downs. This reassurance establishes a deep faith in the child of being in a safe and secure environment, which helps keep the communication channels open between you two.
- Read together: Reading to them from an early age helps develop sentence structuring and expressiveness. Encourage your child to read and talk with you about their book. You can gently correct and guide them during their narration, thus improving their language and communication skills.
- Seek for their inputs: Include your child in conversations on general topics. Ask them their views and understanding of the topic. For example, while planning for a family holiday, ask for their input and involve them in planning.
- Encourage Participation: Inspire your child to participate in recitation and elocution activities in school. Let them begin small by presenting something in front of the family – a poem or short story.
- Communicate Openly: The quality of conversation between parents is a major indicator of the quality and value of communication the child imbibes. Make sure you have healthy and robust conversations and debates before your child. Debates or disagreements over personal views will teach them the value of constructive, open communication.
The school is an extension of home since schools are where children spend the maximum time apart from their home. Ensure you select the right school for your toddler near your home by searching for a play school near me. Check the school’s curriculum and facilities and their stance regarding open communication and the methods they practice in encouraging healthy communication in children.
