Keeping the Big Picture in mind is one of the most important things parents can do, and also one of the hardest.
T. Berry Brazelton
“Home is the first school” – This statement never felt more relatable now than ever. These unpredictable times made parents the sole role models in their children’s lives. The contact between children and outside world has become so minimal that, their only exposure now has become their parents.
So it has become imperative for parents that they need to be cautious about everything; The way they talk to their children and in front of their children, The attention with which you listen, how you empathize and how you discipline them.
With all this sudden and overload of extra responsibilities there is a high possibility of feeling overwhelmed and missing out on the importance of body language.Though the subject of body language is as deep as an ocean let us look into it from the parent child relationship viewpoint.
Touch is a very sensitive and powerful category of body language. Touch your child’s arm while you want to grab their attention. Appreciate them by tapping on their back. Put your arm on their back lightly when you want to assure them when they are scared. Cuddle your child as much as possible when they are toddlers. It is the best way to make them know that they are loved. Also tell them that there might be people who might not be okay with being touched.
Eyes are the gateway to the soul. Though eye contact is considered rude in few cultures, maintaining eye contact is a must while you are speaking with your child and make it a point that they are looking at you while they speak. This way you are making sure that the child knows that you are paying attention and by making him look at you, you are imbibing confidence in him.
Parents are the best teachers. It is only fair to say that it is important for the parents to try to be their best while infront of their kids. Try to maintain the tone clear; neither sarcastic nor overtly pleasing. The tone needs to be maintained according to the situation though you are not in the mood for it. If you child is throwing out stuff at a party you cannot use a casual tone to reprimand them. Be strong when the need be.
It is very adorable when a toddler misspells a word that might sound like a mean word. It will tempt you to laugh but you must maintain a straight face and tell them that it is a bad word and it should not be used. If you laugh out loud, it will send a mixed message to the child. Though you may tell them not to, your laugh might encourage them. Also to show that you are interested in what your child is saying and at the same time to encourage them to share with you, imitate your child’s expressions. If he is sad you too maintain a sad expression to show that you are empathizing with them.
Undertsanding of spatial proxemities is very important because everyone considers the space around them up to a certain perimeter as an extension of themselves. It is essential to teach your kids this early on. If you observe that your child is leaning in too much while talking to a friend, tell your child softly that while speaking to friends you shouldn’t stand too close. Make them understand that they can be physically near to only parents and any uncomfortable proximity from outsiders towards them must be reported to you.
Do not bend over and speak to your child. But sit on your knees or a stool so that you are at their eye level. Why do you think you always see the royals sitting on their knees while talking to their children! Do not let them slouch voluntarily because if this becomes a habit they will ruin their body structure along with their confidence. Remind them to stand erect, firm and confident while talking to anyone.
