In today’s tech-savvy, smart-world parents and children are on-the-go on all forms of wireless communication. From texts to instant messaging, from androids to iphones, keeping in touch is vital. But it’s just as important—if not more—to keep old-fashioned lines of communication open.
When young your child’s world is like a pearl in your oyster. There’s always so much for them to say, to share, to do. If they’re not sure of something they’ll take your cue. If they’re confused they’ll ask you. But when the pre-teen years kick in there’s a change. Sometimes it’s slight, barely noticeable. Other times you’ll find a moody or sulky pre-teen who has a lot on his mind. You are ready to listen. You’ve been waiting to hear what your pre-teen has to say but he / she doesn’t want to share the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, and a silence creeps in.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Building strong connections with your child from the beginning goes a long way in nurturing a strong parent-child bond. Priority is key. That means making sure you’re spending quality one-on-one time with your child and locking this time with a shared activity.
That’s where reading activities can bridge the gap between two worlds.
In 5 easy steps you can fill the gaps of communication or loopholes with the art of ‘story’.
Here’s how:
- Grab your child’s favorite book. It can be anything from classic fairy tales to picture-books for toddlers (with more pictures than words), to online books for kids and apps like Three Billy Goats Gruff or Puss in Boots.
- If your child is not yet a reader, talk about the characters in the pictures and dramatize the scene. Use actions words, verbs, like ‘run’, ‘play’, ‘roll’, etc. This works just as effectively with readers once they’ve read the text.
- Be open and attentive. Listen to your child’s point of view and let him/her complete what he has to express to show you have heard, understood, and remember to acknowledge him.
- Ask your child how he would solve the problem(s) in the story. You’re likely to hear elements of his own life, thinking patterns, feelings, and problems he’s faced seep into the solution. Like adults, children speak from experience, and these literacy strategies can open up channels of communication.
- Continue to make time for this 1:1 activity as often as you can. Supplement with coloring books and puzzles. Keep conversations running to show you really care and that your child matters to you.
You’ll find millions of great parenting books at libraries, book stores, and online sources, and every book is filled with great advice, strategies, and parenting tips. But remember no child comes with a manual. Each individual, with his or her own genetic make-up and set of experiences, is unique. Even twins are known to be polar opposites.
Parenting is hard work. There is no one-size-fits-all. But the best book, full of all the tips and tricks you’ll ever need, lies within your child. All you have to do is open the pages to your child’s heart and listen to the words flow!
