As we grow, most of us tend to forget what it was like to be a child. Do you recall how it made you feel when elders literally looked down at you while speaking? At that point you may not have realised the unintentional power play there. Perhaps that’s why we make similar errors when it comes to speaking with our little humans. However, you may want to reconsider your style.
According to this report, the manner in which you address your child is essential in building his self-confidence. Apparently, kneeling or squatting down to the eye level of your child not only brings down your voice decibels, making you sound less threatening ,but also makes him feel like he has your undivided attention.
Take a cue from this adorable picture of Kate Middleton speaking with Prince George!
“Childhood is the beginning of the process of learning and communicating. It is essential to establish an open channel between parent and child for better understanding and growth. Coming down to the child’s level will definitely work towards a more caring and empathetic relationship,” explains Kavita Mungi, mental health counsellor.
By making children feel that you are actively listening and actually interested in what he has to say, you are sending across a vital message – that they are important to you.
Dr Nicola Flynn, Consultant Paediatrics, Fortis Hospital Anandapur, Kolkata feels as parents and caregivers, it is important to come down to their level to conquer their little hearts, so that they lose inhibitions and open up to effectively, communicate and verbalise their thoughts, feelings and emotions. “The child should be able to connect and relate to the adult speaking to him to the extent that he imagines that the adult has been in the same situation or circumstance and can therefore fully understand and will come up with a solution,” explains Dr Flynn.
Dr Navya Singh, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, wayForward Health, reveals that, “Getting to their level is a commonly advised practice that makes the child feel heard and acknowledged. This moves away from the power dynamic of a parent vs. child hierarchy towards a communication style that reflects mutuality.”
Effectively communicating with younger children to help boost their self-confidence is not as tricky as it seems. There are a few simple tricks you must keep in mind as you address a child, according to Dr Flynn:
- Come physically down to the child’s eye level to ensure good eye contact
- Hear the child’s story patiently without contradicting in-between
- Acknowledge the child’s feelings
- Consider their queries and address them
- Share your thinking out loud – children enjoy being included in the thought process of adults
So the next time you talk to a child, squat to his eye level, have that little chat, make him feel like an equal and in the process, raise a child whose self-confidence will assure you of your parenting skills.