Effective communication is a key skill for success in school, relationships, and the workplace. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our teenagers develop strong communication skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
8 strategies to help teens with building communication skills
Model effective communication
- Parents can model effective communication by practicing active listening, being assertive, and using clear and concise language. By showing teens how to communicate effectively, we help them understand the importance of good communication skills and how to use them throughout their daily lives.
Create a safe and open environment for communication
- Creating a safe and open environment for communication is essential in building strong relationships with our teens. Parents should encourage their teens to express their thoughts and feelings openly and without fear of judgment. Creating a safe and supportive space helps teens build trust and strengthen their communication skills.
Encourage active listening
- Active listening is a crucial communication skill that involves paying attention to the speaker, showing interest and understanding, and responding appropriately. Parents can encourage their teens to practice active listening by modeling it themselves and providing opportunities for their teens to practice with others. This can help teens build stronger relationships and avoid misunderstandings.
Teach assertiveness
- Another key communication skill is assertiveness, which includes expressing thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and directly. Parents can teach their teens to be assertive by encouraging them to use “I” statements, speak confidently and calmly, and avoid being aggressive or passive. This can help teens avoid being taken advantage of, reduce stress and anxiety, and build self-confidence.
Provide guidance on communication channels
- Choosing the right communication channel is important in getting a message across effectively. Parents can provide guidance to their teens on choosing the right communication channel based on the context and purpose. For example, having a serious conversation might be better to do it in person rather than over text or social media.
Help teens recognize nonverbal communication
- Nonverbal communication, body language and tone of voice, can convey just as much information as spoken words. Parents can help their teens recognize nonverbal cues, ie: posture, eye contact, and facial expressions. As a result, teens will better understand the message of others and avoid misunderstandings.
Encourage emotional intelligence
- Emotional intelligence is essential for effective communication. Parents can help their teens develop emotional intelligence by teaching them to recognize and manage their emotions constructively. By practicing emotional intelligence, teens can better understand their own emotions and how they affect their communication with others.
Provide opportunities for practice
- Like any skill, effective communication requires practice. Provide opportunities for teens to practice their communication skills, whether it be through public speaking, debate, or everyday conversations. In time, they’ll learn to identify areas for improvement and continue to develop their communication skills.
Building communication skills is essential for success in school, relationships, and the workplace.
As parents, we can help our teenagers develop strong communication skills by modeling effective communication, creating a safe and open environment for communication, encouraging active listening and assertiveness, providing guidance on communication channels, encouraging emotional intelligence, and providing opportunities for practice.
Kids Corner Life Coaches are certified and ready to help your teen. Reach out to us today to see if we’re a great fit for your family, and to schedule a Free Assessment!