To build strong communication, parents should start early, beginning when the child is 2 months old. There are three key stages: stage 1 at 2 months, stage 2 at 1 year, and stage 3 at 3 years. By investing time and effort at these stages, parents can foster stronger bonds with their children.
Ways to Improving Parenting Communication
Let us discuss the three ways in each stage to improve parenting communication.
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Stage One
This stage of communication starts when the child becomes 2 months old. The parents should use the following three ways to communicate with the child.
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Eye contact: The parents may not be able to communicate with the child verbally. However, they may make eye contact and smile after seeing the baby. They should note if the baby smiles in return.
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Narrate the day: The baby cannot understand what the parents say. However, the parents must talk to them about their day at work in the office. This helps the baby to know the parents.
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Sing and read: The parents must sing before the baby. They should read books and see if the baby notices their action.
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Second Stage
This stage starts when the baby becomes one year old and ends when he becomes 3 years old. The parents should try the following way to develop their communication with the toddler.
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Use simple language: The parent must use simple language in front of the baby. They should use words which baby can understand.
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Stay calm: The parents should stay calm and should not get aggressive in front of the baby. This may hinder the communication.
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Active play: The parents should play with the child. It is one of the best ways to develop good communication with the children.
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Third Stage
The third stage starts when the child becomes 3 years old. During this stage, the parents should follow the below-mentioned ways to develop their parenting communication with the children.
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Active listening; The parents should pay close heed to what the children say. They should not interrupt without hearing them completely. This shows and appears to the child that his thoughts and feelings matter to his parents. In addition, the parents must set aside some quality time with the children. They should fix a time to discuss their career and education. This helps in strengthening the bond between parents and children.
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Ask open-minded questions: The parents should not make the mistake of asking the question that the kids may not answer. Instead, the parents should focus on asking the open-minded question when involves a discussion and active participation from the end of the children. A simple answer yes or no does not work in parenting communication. At the same time, the open-minded question is a way of having effective communication with the child.
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Empathy: The Parents should not directly jump to conclusions when they disagree with the children. They should also understand their perspective before deciding whether they should agree or disagree with their children.
Wrapping Up!
The parents must understand the significance of empathy and listening to improve their communication with their children. They should not conclude without giving children the chance to be heard. This helps in establishing better communication between the parents and the children.