Helpful tips for having conversations with kids

We all know talking to children can be difficult sometimes. Lots of yes/no answers, with little feedback from your counterpart in conversation. While the thought of carrying the discussion can seem daunting, there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

1. Conversations and questions should be natural and shouldn’t feel like an interrogation, according to Very Well Family. If you rapidly fire questions at a child – they are more likely to shut down. So limit your really big questions to one/two per day.

2. Share personal stories! Let the child know when you can sympathize about how they feel.

3. Be fully present. Be sure to turn off TVs, tablets, computers and phones while you’re talking! Distractions can dilute the conversation.

So, what are some questions that are bound to create conversation?

Check out this list!

• What are a few things you are grateful for today?

• What are some things that you don’t need, but you’re really happy you have?

• If pets could talk, what do you think they would say?

• What color is the happiest color? What do you think makes it happy?

• How can we find creative ways to be kind to people?

• What’s something you are really good at?

• What are some ways you can help make a difference in our world?

• If you could achieve any goal – no matter how impossible it seems – what would it be?

It’s also easy to share fun facts that can spark exciting discussions:

• Kangaroos can’t walk backward

• The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes

• While you sleep, you can’t smell anything – even really, really bad smells

• Glass balls can bounce higher than rubber ones

• Hippopotamus milk is pink

• Snails take the longest naps, some lasting as long as three years

• The average person spends two weeks of their life waiting at traffic lights

The Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area is offering Virtual Programming opportunities that could be great for you to do with your child! Check out what we're offering here.

Any tips you’d like to share with us? Email cassandraa@bgclub.com to get them added to this list.

Happy conversations!