How can I Communicate Effectively with my Child During the Uncertain Time of Covid-19?

During this time of Covid-19 and homeschooling everyone is experiencing a barrage of feelings.  Some are grateful that they are able to spend time with their families. This valuable time was not possible prior to the lock-down.  Others, however, are experiencing concerns around loss of job, long working hours, demands of homeschooling and possibly food insecurity.  Any one of these factors can cause undue stress. Under these circumstances, it is possible that your daily communication encounters with your child may reflect that stress. Encounters may become more short and direct. The caregiver may find that he/she is merely managing behavior.  The art of really conversing with your child may be strained. Here are a few suggestions parents may want to try to enrich their communication experience with their child:

• Choose a time to deliberately connect with your child, perhaps  early morning, during evening dinner or just before bed.  Talk about the upcoming day or events that occurred during the day.  Sing a song, repeat a nursery rhyme or recite a poem together.  Create an activity that can become an anticipated bonding moment.  For the older child, discuss a musical group they like, a sports player they admire, or talk about an interesting book they are reading.
• Play board games, complete puzzles, have a dance party, or bake cookies as a way to decrease stress and work together towards a common goal.
• Become aware of how you are communicating with your child.  Assess your tone of voice. How much are you smiling when  talking with your child?  Are you primarily telling your child what to do or are you engaged in actual conversations?

In spite of the challenges of Covid-19, your communication with your child can not only improve, but thrive.  Deliberately carving out time to meaningfully connect with your child will ensure that the inherent stress of our current circumstance will not overshadow your positive parent/child bonding experience.

For additional parenting tips, one source among many is "unicef for every child" www.unicef.org/coronavirus/covid-19-parenting-tips
​  

For more information regarding Parent-Child interaction, specifically designed for children from birth to three years of age, please Click Here to review Lullabelle & Friends' Parent Guide: Enhancing Your Child's Speech-Language Development From Birth to Three Years and Beyond...