Relationships between parents and children are built on trust and respect, both of which can be developed by using some common communication techniques often used by effective teachers in classrooms.

Have you ever wondered how a teacher manages a classroom of more than twenty students and is still able to gain their trust?  Some parents find it difficult to do that even with one child.  It is important to treat children with respect during our interactions with them. Effective teachers work to avoid embarrassment, shame, and humiliation to protect children’s self-image and enable them to view the classroom environment as trustworthy. This is what parents need to learn from such teachers.

As parent, we can try two basic techniques task talk and contact talk that teachers try with their children to create an environment of trust. Task talk is the language used to get things done. Some examples of task talk are: “let’s finish our homework so we have time to play your favorite game,” and “help me finish my chores so we can go out for an ice cream.”  As there are invariably many everyday tasks that need to be accomplished around the house, talk tasks can be used to make the children help out and at the same time build trust.  But you do need to fulfill the promised reward. 

Contact talk is the language used to share a few moments of quality time with another human being, to learn more about the other person, and to share a bit about oneself. The crucial point about contact talk is giving undivided attention and respect to your children when to talk to them.  It shows them that you respect them, which in turns make them trust you more. 

Some of the basic of contact talk are as follows:

  • Set aside time from your busy schedule and talk to your child even 10 minutes a day is sufficient. Give your full attention to your child. Sit down and look at your child as you talk.
  • Show empathy to your child and be in tune to with her feeling. Do not minimize her feelings by saying things like, “Don’t be silly,” “You’ll get over it,” or “You’ll understand when you get older.” Her feelings are real to her and should be respected.

The above communication techniques commonly used by the teachers will generate trust and respect between the parents and the children.

Trust and respect are fundamental to the growth and maintenance of family relationships. Trust implies that one has confidence in others and can reliably predict what others will do. If children know that they trust on their parents for support and love, they will be more likely to grow up into trusting, caring individuals themselves.