This module, Communication Skills for Emotional Development, is important in fostering children's self confidence and emotional development.

Parents and teachers undoubtedly have the greatest importance for the child's development, therefore the proper methods of communication with the child are prerequisites for the child's successful and healthy psychosocial functioning. Respectful and focussed on child's needs parents and teachers communication is the best prevention of possible behavioural and emotional difficulties. Effective communication is based on nurturing child’s good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour. It reinforces the idea that there are no “good” or “bad” kids, just different kids with different needs.

For teachers and parents, this module provides practical techniques of effective communication, which help to establish a warm and affectionate relationship with the children.

Concept 2: Rules for positive communication with child

Communicating with the child: be mindful of the child’s feelings; control your voice tone when talking to the child; respect the child's right to express an opinion, regardless of his or her age; talk with the child about his or her problems without resentment, criticism, accusations, and threats; listen to the child to show that his or her opinion is important to you; use encouragement to encourage his positive behaviour; thank the child  for the help; show the child that you believe in his or her abilities; let the child do what he or she does best to boost his or her self-confidence, praise him for his efforts, not just for a good result; avoid constantly correcting the child and do not take away his courage; evaluate the child's behaviour, not himself; often tell the child that you love him or her strongly; formulate positive sentences; appreciate the child for being open with you and showing you their confidence by telling the truth.

Concept 3: The impact of positive communication on child's well-being

The child:

▪       learns to overcome tension

▪       feels confident

▪       has a high self-esteem

▪       takes responsibility for his actions

▪       learn to be independent.

• Strategy 1: Active listening. Actively listening to the child means expressing in words how you understand the child's feelings (Gippenreiter, 2008). Most often, a child's problems are related to experiencing negative feelings, so the purpose of active listening is to help the child understand his or her feelings and show that you accept them with those feelings.Responses to active listening show the child that the parents understand and allow him or her to feel this way. Such parental understanding not only calms the child and helps them to understand the emotions they are experiencing, but also makes a very big impression (Gippenreiter, 2008).

• Strategy 2: "I Message" and "YOU Message“. When we use the words I, ME, for ME in our statements, it is called "I message".Psychologists use the statements in which we use the words YOU, YOUR, for YOU to call "You message".To tell the child what we don’t like without causing him dissatisfaction, resistance, or conflict. we need to learn to change "YOU message" to "I message".

• Activity 1:"Active listening skills practice"

Guide participants through exercises focused on active listening skills development. Provide worksheets  to aid in the practical exercises. Divide the participants into pairs and invite them to role-play the skills.

• Activity 2:  "I message” practice

Guide participants through exercises focused on "I message” skills development. Provide worksheets to aid in the practical exercises. Divide the participants into pairs and invite them to role-play the skills.

Reflection Prompts: 

Organise feedback from the workshop. Encourage participants to reflect and to share insights on how they can implement theoretical knowledge and practical skills in developing their children’s emotional competencies.

Discussion Prompts: 

• What do you think about strategies of effective communication with child?

• Distinguish the three most important rules of communication with a child in order to develop his emotional intelligence?

• What active listening barriers do you notice?

1. Feather, N.B. (2022). HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH MY CHILD: Simple And Complete Guide To Build Strong Bond With Your Child Through Amazing Communication Skills Including Expert Advices and practical examples. 

2. Creswell, C., Parkinson, M., Thirlwall, K., & Willetts, L. (2017). Parent-Led CBT for Anxiety: Helping parents help their kids. New York: The Guilford Press.

3.  Friedberg, R.D. & McClure, J.M. (2015). Clinical Practice of Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents: The nuts and bolts (2nd Ed.). New York: The Guilford Press

4. Siegel, D.J. & Payne Bryson, T. (2012). The Whole-Brain Child: 12 revolutionary strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind. New York: Bantam Books.

• Communication Skills for Emotional Development. This module emphasizes that parents and teachers undoubtedly have the greatest importance for the child's development, therefore the proper methods of communication with the child are prerequisites in fostering children's self confidence and emotional intelligence.

• Rules for positive communication with the child. Communicating with the child is important to be mindful of the child’s feelings; respect the child's right to express an opinion; listen to the child; use encouragement to encourage his positive behaviour; often tell the child that you love him or her strongly; formulate positive sentences; appreciate the child for being open with you and showing you their confidence by telling the truth.

• Practical techniques active listening and “I” statements. When parents and teachers use active listening they show the child that they understand and allow him or her to feel this way. Such understanding calms the child and helps to understand the emotions. Applying  "I" statement helps children understand how their behaviour affects others. When we properly use „I“, we do not blame.