How to improve communication skills in children while having FUN!
How to improve communication skills, English in children while having some fun!
During early years, some children struggle with speech and communication or even find it difficult to concentrate (How to improve concentration) and convey their thoughts. This needs to be addressed by parents at the right time.
If not, these children may find it difficult to adapt to the schooling system and may be slow in class. This can affect their learning abilities in the long run as well.
Along with improving communication skills , it is necessary to prepare your ward for the education system and importance of education. learning and communication skills complement each other to make a child wholesome and prepared for child education and life ahead in general.
Also for kids who do not have problems imparting their thoughts, there are activities and games that may help them improve.
By the time we reach adulthood and gain more and more experience in life, we all learn that it is not only about success in academics .
To be a wholesome and happy individual you need to master all necessary aspects of life and one of the most important skillset is “Communication”. A good communicator not only speaks but also connects.
Let us see a few ideas we may use to improve communication for our kids whose skills are still improving.
Here are some such activities and games to involve your kids to improve communication skills
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Interesting activities to improve communication in children[/su_heading]
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="15" id="" class=""]Story telling[/su_heading]
In my personal experience with my two kids, I can tell you that there is no better way to improve communication in children than a “story telling” session.
“Story telling” sessions not only enhance our little one’s horizon but also ease and strengthen the brain-tongue connection.
Indirectly, when children tell others, it boosts their confidence, and you might also observe that they are now better readers.
My son started reading a lot more storybooks once he was introduced to these storytelling sessions in his school and summer camp when he was in pre-school.
I guess one of the reasons was to get ideas! But whatever the reason was….I was happy with this development.
He became more apparent in his speech and became better at placing words in the proper context, which was a problem earlier.
You must be wondering how to have a “story telling” session at home? Well, turn your creative sides on!!
On the weekend, have a session when all family members are together.
Maybe during tea time or even breakfast. Make it a fun activity for all.
Soon all of you will start looking forward to this session, I tell you.
Tell your child to prepare their story throughout the week to be told over this session to everybody else in the family.
Make sure each one tells a story too!!
You adults may indulge in nostalgia over your sweet memories and narrate in the form of a story( just giving you an idea here!!).
How does that sound?
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve communication skills in children? Participate in Show & Tell[/su_heading]
The best thing about “show and tell” is that it gives kids some depth in knowledge about various things.
Since there are various things that each child speaks about, he learns in this process, apart from enhancing their communication skills.
This is often done in pre-school with the kids, and the entire class participates.
Not only the speaker but even the entire class learns a few things about the object shown.
Since kids learn from each other and often also try to imitate their peers.
When done in groups, this activity makes those kids better who may be a little behind schedule in terms of communication.
This helps them catch up with others.
For a home practice session, let’s ask our little ones to show what they did in class!
Show some interest in their activities, and they will show you what they did.
They might also show and tell what others did in class.
Pretend play is a kid’s favorite in early years.
They would love to pretend play about friends in class.
You will love to watch these sessions if done consistently with them.
They will love to practice “show and tell.” at home as well
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve communication skills in children?Go for Elocution[/su_heading]
As per the online dictionary, elocution is “the skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation.”
Elocution is often practiced in schools, and various elocution contests take place at different levels.
Though elocution is not particularly for small kids, they can prepare for it through various activities suitable from early years.
If your child is a little grown-up, It may be a good idea to enroll them in a training class on elocution.
Elocution trains kids on better grammar, voice modulation, speech clarity, and mind coordination while speaking.
Overall it trains kids for oratory skills.
Alternatively, you can practice elocution at home with your kid while taking some practice classes online.
Once you feel your kid is picking up good oratory skills, you can send them to local competitions and programs.
This will boost her self-belief and improve her oratory skills even more.
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve communication skills in children?Attend a drama School[/su_heading]
We all love drama, and it’s a great mode of expression.
If possible, get your child enrolled in a drama class early on.
They teach so many techniques, which is an excellent tool to learn how to improve communication skills in children.
And since drama is a group activity, there is so much to learn from the other.
You may see a good improvement in your child’s communication skills within months if they go to a drama class.
The act of storytelling with actions and body language, and spoken words, develops a Child’s communication skills in many ways.
Not only do they learn to communicate better in front of an audience, but they also develop confident body language.
Drama can enhance your kid’s imagination and creativity as well.
Teamwork is another life skill that a kid might pick up during rehearsals, makeup, and overall interactions with the drama group.
Now, what can you do if you do not have drama classes happening nearby?
Though it is an ancient form of art, I still don’t find too many drama classes for kids around.
There are some online courses these days for which you can enroll your child.
The classes and courses generally teach you screenplay, writing, diction, dialog, and many more.
It’s a great way to improve communication for young minds.
Once your child does a few dramas, you will notice them loving the drama classes.
They make friends in this class and get to make something together as a team, and most kids love this experience!!
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Present your thoughts[/su_heading]
I found it a great idea when my friend’s son expressed great interest in one of her office presentations and started asking me too many questions.
I guessed the kid was around five years of age and was just fascinated with the PowerPoint presentation that had some animations on it.
So the mother just thought of teaching him in a more straightforward way how this works, and within a year, he could make simple presentations.
He was interested and intrigued in making presentations after that.
They used to insert pics and drawings, which they then sent to friends and family.
Sometimes he used to present it, and they sent a recording of the presentation to close family members.
This way, he developed an interest in various subjects he could present, and then when he grew up a bit more, he was excellent at making presentations and delivering them.
He was open to feedback and is excellent in communication, takes part, and wins several elocutions.
How lovely!!
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]How to improve communication skills in children?The day at school[/su_heading]
I think every child should talk about her/his day at school in details with either parent at least sometime everyday.
I chose the dinner time.
We talk so many things and I try to figure out actually what is happening in school.
I have noticed, the kids are so involved in school activities that when they speak about their day in school they are quiet exited and have a lot to say usually.
This way through general conversation, they actually learn to connect, say something they want to and also express their opinions on various things.
As a parent I also take this opportunity to correct their diction, pronunciation and clarity of speech.
I tell them in a very casual and friendly manner. I have seen it sticks around generally.
Trust me your guidance over this daily affair improves their communication skills in the long run!!
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Virtual Communication[/su_heading]
The world has changed a lot since the last generation grew up.
This is indeed the days of gadgets, wifi, PlayStations, internet, smart phone and what not. As a result our children may loose out on the art of communicating effortlessly but effectively. How to improve communication skills in children?
I have felt the need to train our children on telecommunication.
Many of us including some children may be good communicators otherwise but when it comes to tele discussions, they fumble and are at a loss for words.
It is a very good idea to have one day in a week to call up the grandparents or a close relative over a video chat.
Let the kid speak for at least 15 minutes.
He/She will come up with topics of conversation and learn how to strike a conversation on phone or over a video chat.
You can correct him/her wherever you feel necessary. This way they not only improve tele communication but we also keep in touch with our close ones.
Nephews and cousins of similar age can also exchange their ideas and this friendly regular conversation helps them improve.
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]Art&Craft[/su_heading]
Though not directly, Art and craft plays a good role in improving a kids communication skills.
If you give the same activity to a group of kids, Say a drawing or a dance, each of them will perform differently.
This is what expression is…It differs from one to another, even for adults right?
It is always a good idea to encourage a form of art or craft to your kids.
They need not be immensely good at anything in particular.
But doing something persistently definitely helps to improve.
This also helps in expression and communicating through the art form.
Drawing and painting classes often bring out the best in kids. Even music and dance.
They express and communicate through the art form and it indirectly helps them communicate and understand situations better.
[su_heading style="default" size="25" align="center" margin="20" id="" class=""]emotional charades[/su_heading]
Happy Parenting!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you work on your child's communication skills?
Your child's communication comes from within. Listen. Pay attention to your child's body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions so you can give your child the right cue.Communication is two-way. It’s never about one way communication. You can never throw information at your child and expect to communicate effectively.
2. How do you teach children how to be effective communicators?
Communication skills are built over time and with practice. Teach your children through modelling, talking, asking questions, listening, and reflecting on your own communication skills. Then ask them how they think you are doing.
3. What communication skills should children learn from their parents?
Communication skills are important. They support children's language development, help them share ideas and feelings with others, and make everyday activities easier. Many parents assume that children need to be taught about social skills. But children can learn these skills by observing parents and others, and by practising them. We have some important communication skills that children can learn from their parents.