Five Ways to Help Your Child Increase Vocabulary, Critical Thinking, and Social Skills
by Kathleen A. Matchunis, B.A., M.S., Certified Professional Coach
In my coaching practice, I work with lots of children, teens, and parents to strengthen academic performance and social skills. It is astonishing how many kids have trouble expressing themselves and how often I need to define vocabulary which I use because of a lack of vocabulary appropriate for their age. When discussing material from their classes, it is amazing the amount of regurgitation I encounter and the lack of true comprehension of the material. It appears that many students have little background knowledge before which gives them little context for learning new material. This problem is not surprising since many teachers are being forced to teach to the test, leaving little time for discussion and analysis.
How can you as a parent increase vocabulary, critical thinking, and background information while improving social skills at the same time? Here are some tips which you can implement without even leaving your home.
- Discuss issues that are going on in your community, state, nation or the world. If you need some help with this, just watch the news together or watch an interesting documentary. The more controversial the topic, the more chance that you will be able to engage your child. Record the news or a documentary, so that you can view at your convenience.
- Ask your child’s opinion on the topics presented. Have them defend their opinion or explain their point of view. Anyone can have an opinion. Substantiating your opinion takes critical thinking skills. If your child doesn’t know how to do this, you can start by having them come up with pros and cons on different issues.
- Make sure that you define new words as they come up in discussions and give examples. Kids need definitions but context provides true meaning.
- Watch game shows that test your general knowledge.
- Have a family reading night once a week. Let your children choose either a book or magazine. Reading is the key to building vocabulary and background knowledge. Often children who do not read on a regular basis are at a disadvantage in classes which require reading such as English, history and science. This weakness becomes life-changing when it is time to take the ACT and SAT exams, which will determine, to a degree, where they will be able to go to college.
If you feel your child is too young to watch the news, there is Nick News for Kids on television besides many online resources such as CNN student news and Teen Kids News, among others. View these shows or read these online resources to spark discussions. All documentaries are not boring for kids, if you choose with your kids’ interest in mind. Check out: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/12-documentaries-that-will-inspire-kids-to-change-the-world to find great documentaries for all age levels.
For teens, Morgan Spurlock has made many interesting documentaries and produced TV series addressing social issues. The benefit for your teen is to watch these shows with them and then discuss them together. With heightened awareness, your children will be surprised when they hear about these issues in school and in everyday life.
How can all of these activities lead to better social skills? While discussing issues, your child can learn good listening skills, taking turns talking, developing appropriate eye contact, how to disagree respectfully, as well as conflict resolution techniques.
Want to know more, contact me!
Original content by Kathleen A. Matchunis, Educator, Professional Academic and Life Coach, providing customized coaching for teens and parents in person or Skype. Website: www.connectinginc.net Tel. 954 294 9708. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/connectinginc. Call for a complimentary consultation!