While plenty of good things are happening in this world and through social media, it's getting harder and harder to teach children what it means to talk nicely to others. Social media has enabled people to say mean, unkind things regularly without any consequence. This lack of accountability can escalate into behavior, causing horrible reactions for the victims of those bullied by their online and offline peers.
How to teach your child to talk nicely to others. 4 parenting tips.
1. Speak with intention.
Children spend the first few years of their lives watching and mimicking you, their parents. Make a point to set a good example when you talk to your children, your partner, your family, and your friends. Take time to listen to others, don't interrupt, and choose your words well. Your children will see you talk nicely to others, and will learn to do the same.
2. Correct them.
When you catch your child speaking in a way that isn't very nice, don't hesitate to correct them. As with anyone, it's never kind or polite to call someone out in front of others; your children are no exception. So, if you're out in public when your child speaks rudely, pull them aside immediately and address the issue. Remind him of what was said, and let him know that the approach and content were inappropriate. Ask him what he thinks he could have said instead, and –if he cannot come up with alternatives—suggest something that would have been nicer. Your child may feel bad or embarrassed by what they said, so remember that you love them and only want the best for them.
3. Make a game out of it.
Ask your kids to write down a few nice things about each member of your household each day. For each day your kids complete the chore, reward them using a modern mobile app with a universal wishlist such as Wishfinity. It doesn't have to be a tangible reward, but maybe going to the park or simply telling them how proud you are will do the trick.
4. Be sure to omit complaints!
The objective is to get your child to say nice things, not negatively. Getting your child to focus regularly on speaking nicely and concentrate on the positive qualities of your family members will help him talk nicely to others without too much thought.
