跟读练习: Communicating with Your Child - 通过视频学习英语口语

Positive communication with our children helps them develop in a healthy way and strengthens our bond with them.

Parents can really kind of tune in to what their kids are saying to kind of build those communication skills, help their children build language skills, and by saying, you know, what are -- what did you say, and repeating back what the kids said and reflecting on that emotion that kids are expressing.

There are four steps for communicating positively with your child.

Step One, praise.

Use praise to help your child know what you'd like them to do.

Be clear and specific with your praise.

Instead of good job, say good job putting away your toys.

Great job putting your toys away, Jenny.

It's very, very important as a parent to be conscious as much as possible of what your kids are doing; that you're checking in on them enough; that there's opportunities to acknowledge what they're doing that it's good.

Step Two, imitation.

You can copy or imitate the things your child is doing that you want them to keep doing.

This shows your child that you are paying attention to them and interested in what they are doing.

When copying and imitating, make sure you do the things the way your child does.

Do not try to do things better or faster than your child.

Then they see that you've recognized that they're doing something that you're also doing.

Wow. Mommy likes that.

Mommy likes to play with my dolls too.

So that must be something good that I'm doing.

I'm going to do that again in the future.

Step Three, description.

Describing or talking about what your child is doing while they play shows your child you are noticing their good behavior.

You can act like a sportscaster who is telling people what is happening in a game.

You are putting the red block on the green block and making a tall tower.

Step Four, active listening.

Giving your child your full attention when you are playing and talking with them can help build your relationship.

At least once a day try to really focus on being with your child.

Try to decrease distractions, like cell phones, so you can give her your full attention.

One way to actively listen is to talk about what your child is doing or to repeat what your child says.

You can also add more detail to encourage them to talk to you more.

For example, your child may say I colored it, but with active listening you may add to that and say yes, you colored her dress blue and red.

Active listening can also help children name their feelings.

For example, if your child is crying and says she's not happy, you may say you seem unhappy and sad.

Playtime is a great time to practice praise, imitation, description and active listening.

You can also use these skills any time you are with your child; at dinner, in the car, and when giving a bath.