Communication Skills: What They Are, How to Practice Them, and How They Can Change Your Child’s Life

Teaching Communication Skills

One of the most important skills we all should learn is to properly communicate with others. Communication looks different for everyone, as some individuals have unique abilities that may change how they communicate. For example:

• American Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
• Braille for visually impaired individuals
• Modified Sign Language for autistic individuals

Communication involves listening, speaking, observing, and empathizing. There are four main types of communication:

• Verbal: Spoken language
• Nonverbal: Body language, facial expressions, and tone
• Written: Written language, symbols, and numbers
• Visual: Photography, art, videos, charts, and graphs

How to Help Children Communicate

Here are some resources to help with specific communication needs:

• Improving communication for autistic children
• Non-verbal communication for visually impaired children
• Communication for deaf children

Facial Expressions

Practice with children by using emoji charts to teach facial expressions and their associated emotions. Play games to identify and mimic expressions representing feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, or excitement.

Paying Attention and Listening

Teach children to show they are actively listening through their body language:

• Face the speaker, with hands and arms in a neutral position.
• Make appropriate facial expressions and maintain eye contact (or look at the speaker’s eyebrows or forehead if eye contact is challenging).
• Avoid distractions like electronics while listening.
• Respond thoughtfully and ask relevant questions.

Body Language

Body language can help children express their wants and needs. Practice polite and appropriate gestures to ensure respectful communication. Role-play scenarios to reinforce these skills in a comfortable setting.

Practicing Communication Skills

Make practicing communication fun:

• Write stories with your child to read together.
• Practice phone or text etiquette by role-playing.
• Model tough conversations by writing scripts and acting them out.

Help your child learn to speak clearly, maintain an appropriate tone, and show friendliness through honesty, kindness, and positivity.

Key Communication Traits

• Assertiveness: Teach children to set boundaries, express their feelings, and make decisions confidently.
• Empathy: Help children understand and share others’ feelings, fostering connection and kindness.
• Mutual Respect: Encourage treating others with kindness and fairness, thinking about others’ needs, and celebrating their successes.

Practicing these traits builds strong communication skills, which are essential for success in school, relationships, and future careers.

Adapting to Change

Change is inevitable. Teach your child how to manage it by:

• Practicing patience and allowing time for adjustments.
• Focusing on the positives in challenging situations.
• Discussing emotional reactions to change and working through them together.

Encourage coping strategies such as mindfulness, journaling, or physical activity to ease anxiety. Remind your child that they don’t have to face change alone and to seek support from friends, family, or professionals when needed.

About the Author

Jessica Miller