Blog
25th February 2020
The Importance Of Communication Skills For Children
Communication is one of the most essential qualities an individual should possess yet many neglects its importance. The first form of communication begins from the moment we are born when we let our mothers know we have arrived with our first cry. As a child develops both physically and mentally, it is important that parents help nurture their communication skills so they are capable of expressing themselves, clearly and confidently, in all aspects and areas of their life when they grow older.
Possessing a set of proper oral language skills can be described as an essential life skill in today’s world. With the early implementation of drama, children improve their basic communication skills during the early years and go on to hone their skills as they grow. Just assuming that children may learn suitable communication skills just through early schooling can be a huge mistake.
Communication skills are important in child development for the following reasons:
- Communication skills can facilitate learning and meaningful exchange of information with others.
- Communicating well may boost your child’s social IQ by helping them build sound relationships during their interactions with other people.
- A child who can communicate verbally may be comfortable producing written communication as well which is likely to help them perform better academically.
- Children with communication problems may develop behavioural disorders like depression, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem.
- Teaching effective communication skills to children may help them express themselves clearly and convey their feelings in a better manner.
Basic Communication Skills A Child Should Know
Some basic communication skills a child should know can be:
Children should be able to establish eye contact with the person they are conversing with. It is a mark of interest and respect. Looking away during a conversation is an indication of disinterest and constitutes bad manners.
Your child needs to learn to speak properly and clearly. Children may be trained to speak using correct pronunciation and the right grammar. They should be impressed upon not to speak hurriedly.
Parents may instruct their children not to interrupt an ongoing conversation and start talking because they feel so. It is essential to check this behaviour and encourage self-control.
Parents need to model appropriate listening behaviour so that their child may learn to listen attentively and respond aptly.
Parents may also like to show their children the art of entering a conversation politely and the right way to behave when somebody joins a lively conversation which includes greeting the person with an encouraging smile and nod.
The ability to communicate effectively is a key skill, and the better we are at it, the better our quality of life will be.
If we consider the stages of a child's development: they communicate first with their parents, then with siblings and friends, and then with other adults such as their school teachers.
A child will learn to communicate by watching and listening to their parents, and then mimicking their words and actions; the more you communicate with your child, the earlier and quicker they will develop these skills.
Reading is a great activity to help improve your child's communication proficiency; it develops their language acquisition and introduces them to a range of vocabulary, helping them communicate with ease and clarity. As they get older, reading together provides an excellent opportunity for discussion, creating an environment where a child can comfortably and confidently get used to articulating and sharing their ideas.
Through interaction and play with siblings and friends, a child will develop social skills and interpersonal skills alongside their communication skills. These skills will make them feel at greater comfort in social situations, where they will find it easier to strike up conversations with peers, and make new friends. Through these relationships, they will also hone their listening skills as well as their ability to empathize and interpret non-verbal communication cues.
When a child begins school, presentations, class discussions, dramatizations, and oral exams will become regular activities for them, all of which will call directly upon their verbal communication skills; likewise, they may, as part of the application process, have to go along to an interview when applying to a secondary school or sixth form. In these situations, you will want a child to feel confident, not only speaking in front of a crowd or meeting a new acquaintance but also assured in their own ability to converse fluently and make a good impression.
A child who is good at communicating verbally will find it easier to produce written communications, and thus will likely perform better in their school examinations and written assignments.
Looking to their future, being able to communicate with employers is crucial, no matter what industry or career you are in. Good communication skills are listed amongst the most desirable skills on nearly every job specification and will give you an advantage over your colleagues when competing for additional responsibilities.
Being able to deliver instructions, lead meetings, carry out presentations and liaise with clients, consumers, suppliers, etc., are just some of the communication skills needed to successfully gain those bigger opportunities.
Like any skill, communication skills can be developed and refined with practice, but by helping develop good communication skills in a child from their youth, you are equipping them straight away with the skills to build a successful future.
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