Communication
Talk about what you are doing and how they could help you.
Allow children to make easy decisions in everyday activities to build their confidence.
Arrange a time and quiet place to listen to your children. If you are busy, make and honour a promise of listening to your children later. 1
Pay full attention to your children when they talk.2
Acknowledge what your children say.3
Show that you are interested in listening to what your children are saying.
Sit at the same level as the child instead of towering over them.
Ask open questions (allowing your children to answer in their own words in detail) such as: “how did it happen?” or “how do you feel?”. 4
Avoid criticising, teasing, ridiculing, or putting them in a difficult position. 5
Children need to know they are loved. Even when they have done something you think is naughty tell them “I don’t like it when you do something wrong – but I always love you.” 6
Let them know when change is about to happen to help them prepare for the next activity. Give children lots of praise when they practice talking about their feelings and managing difficult situations.
For tips to teaching conflict resolution to children, see Healthy families: Resolving family conflict.
