Sure, our kids can work amazingly with technology, but do they always smile or say hello when they bump into someone on the street? Technology has helped us connect seamlessly with people across the world. But our upcoming generation might just not be able to have an actual conversation ‘in person’.
Communication skills are largely taken for granted in our world, but a lot of children find it challenging to speak about what’s on their mind. It is easier for him to ask a question to a chatbot or send an email to the teacher rather than raise his hand and ask a question in class. Why does this happen?
Well, today’s 8-year-old is always on a device either attending an online school, reading up for an assignment, doing homework, attending online hobby lessons, using an app to learn Math, socializing with friends and family or playing games. And since they spend most of their time (even in school) on a device, they get fewer opportunities to actually ‘sit and talk’.
Although communication skills are usually picked up by kids instinctively, our new generation doesn’t get their fair share! So, what can we do to help? Well, as a rule, everything must begin at home! So here goes.
Sit-and-talk
Just like ‘screen time’ on devices, have a ‘sit-and-talk’ or a ‘talk-and-walk’ time daily. Talk about your day- what you did, how you felt (good and bad), your plans for the next day and more. You can also talk about different topics. Allow your child to pick the topic of her choice. So, she’s excited to talk about it. Make it a discussion. Add your thoughts and ask for her opinion.
Don’t google it!
Google is great! Am not against it at all! In fact, I love it! Ask a question and it answers. But, what does it do? Quick solutions. This does not help the brain to think. So, set aside some time in the day when you won’t reach out for google. It’s really hard to break this habit and pull on an encyclopedia instead. Even searching for a piece of information in a book is a great way to converse – where could it be? Can you find it? Which topic does it come under? Science? History? The mind has to look for possibilities and kids can help with it. I know it’s time-consuming, but it’s all worth it. Think about possibilities before looking for options on the internet.
Listen-and-learn
Let your child be the teacher – pretend you don’t know something and let your child explain it. Ask questions, argue, negotiate – your child needs all these skills. I like to pick a topic that my son likes – video games. I know nothing about them but my son tells me everything – the games he plays, how each one is different, how to level-up! And I listen and learn. It enlightens me, and at the same time, he tells me what exactly he does and I also get to keep an eye on his internet security. But mind you, he cannot use the game/ device to demonstrate – he has to explain it!
Let them run errands
The next time your kid asks for a treat, give him some change and ask him to buy himself an ice cream from the neighbourhood store. He gets to go there, smile and ask for what he wants, decide what to do if they don’t have his preferred option and also calculate the change back after purchasing. And there’s no telling whom he’ll meet on the way to say hello to or chat up on the way back!
Written by Kavita Krishnamurthy
Further Reading: How do lockdown restrictions affect children’s growth?