As a parent, you will always want what is best for your child. This means that you will go above and beyond to help them develop the skills they need to thrive in any situation, whether they are heading back to school or navigating their way through some pretty complex challenges. 

One of the most important ways to help your child grow and develop into a confident adult is by helping them find their voice. After all, being able to speak up and speak out will allow your child to: 

  • Find confidence in any situation.
  • Engage in conversations both inside and outside of the classroom.
  • Develop skills in communication and social interaction.
  • Make new friends. 
  • Express themselves freely, enabling them to ask for help as and when they need it. 

However, some children find it harder to find their voice than others. This could be due to a range of factors, from general shyness or even conditions such as autism or Aspergers. Either way, you must find as many ways as possible to help your child find their voice in this world.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Here are some simple ways in which you can get started doing exactly that!

  • Ensure that they are always involved in the conversation. Sometimes, children will stay silent as they feel as though their opinions do not matter as much as the ‘grown-ups’, especially if you are talking about a topic they do not know very much about. However, you can help them find their voice by finding a way to help them navigate these conversations. For example, you could explain the topics in more detail or start asking for their opinion. 
  • Consider speech therapy. Sometimes, we all need a little extra help, and speech therapy can be a valuable tool to help your child overcome any issues they may face regarding finding their voice. For example, in addition to helping children who may be mute, it can also help combat speech impediments that impact their confidence. To get started, you simply need to do a little research and find the best speech therapist in your local area. 
  • Listen to them when they are speaking. Another way you can help your child find their voice is by ensuring that you always listen to them when they are speaking – even if they are telling you the same story repeatedly. This helps them develop necessary skills in communication, such as non-verbal queues. It also teaches them to be courteous and to listen to others. 
  • Be constructive yet supportive. If you find that your child mispronounces certain words, try to correct them without hurting their feelings. For example, you could start the conversation by saying that we all get things wrong from time to time, then let them know what to do when they fix their mistake. As they begin to use their voice more and more, be sure to shower them in compliments too. 

Encourage them to spend time with other children. Children often find their voice through socializing with others or by engaging with their peers. This is because children often learn from other children, as they try to emulate each other’s behavior, speech or mannerisms. Therefore, encouraging your child to play with others can help them make friends and find their voice simultaneously.

This is a contributed post.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *