5 Tips to Help Your Homeschooler Achieve Effective Communication

Do you want your homeschooler to learn communication skills? In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to increase communication proficiency and the mastery of authentic connections. Likely, at some point, your homeschooler may have to speak on social media for a job or project, so efficiency of delivery is vital. 

How can you begin teaching these skills today? Well, as a former student who graduated with her bachelor's in Communications, I have a few tips for you today. 

• Read together. 
• Teach them to listen well. 
• Teach them not to overshare/maintain conversational boundaries. 
• Encourage them to think of others.
• Host table discussions. 

5 Practices to Build Effective Communication

First, read together. If your child is younger, this will help with their diction and speaking skills. They will learn how to speak in front of others and master tone of voice. In addition, as they grow older, reading encourages critical thinking, which is important for effective communicators. 

Second, teach your homeschooler to listen well to others. Encourage them to actually engage in the conversation. Put away distractions (phone, book, mental competitors) and encourage them to intentionally speak with others. Your homeschooler should try to focus on the other person and not themselves. I’m preaching to myself with this one 😏

Next, help your child learn how to have conversational boundaries. Most people don’t enjoy hearing about bathroom trips, TMI stories, or overzealous opinions. Therefore, encourage your homeschooler to soften their tone and not share gory details. 

Fourth, propel your homeschooler to think of others when speaking. They should ask mental questions like “How will my words impact the other person?” “Will I upset them with this comment based on their personal history?” For instance, if they are speaking to a veteran with PTSD, they should not make jokes about PTSD. Also, showing consideration through physical actions communicates kindness. If your homeschooler knows their friend feels sad, they could buy a special gift or write a loving card for their friend. Actions communicate things, too. 

Finally, host table discussions as a family. My parents have helped me see the importance of good moral values through plenty of table (and kitchen) discussions. We talk out our problems, practice gratitude, and make many humorous comments through kitchen communication. If you want to take it a step further, communicate at the kitchen table using prompts or form actual debates. This encourages direct and persuasive communication. 

Note: Just because I am a former Communications student doesn’t mean that I have mastered these skills. Working on them requires daily dedication, and I will continue to work on these skills for the rest of my life. 

Conclusion

Effective communication can change the world. Your homeschooler can be the change maker. It starts with your household, and these five steps can help you all work on your communication habits. Mainly, effective communication comes from the heart and shows the other person that they matter. Today, you can start as a family and show the world what good communication looks like. 

Click the link to learn more!

- NxtEra

Written by Bethany (@thebookwormgirl_bethany)