Developing your children’s social skills is essential, especially when it comes to ensuring they know how to thrive through their adolescent years.
As their parents, you probably already know more than anyone else about them. You know their favorite food. You know their least favorite food. You know when they are feeling sad or feeling happy. You know what their dreams are and who their best friends are.
But kids are constantly evolving and their preferences and identity is changing. More so, the way in which they get opportunities to interact with one another is also changing and evolving. Kids are no longer simply interacting with others just at school and on the playground. They are online and using their digital devices more so than ever before.
That is why it is so important to find things to talk about on FaceTime and get them to spend less time staring and more time speaking.
Conversation starters can range from a whole plethora of topics. They can be topics that support their imagination. They can be topics that educate them. They can be topics that comfort them.
In general, the most important thing that you can do is create a list of conversation starters that ultimately get them growing and developing in their social skills and interactions. Not only will you be able to get to know your child better, but so will their own friends, teachers, and coaches too.
So where to start when it comes to conversation topics? We’ve rounded up some of the top ones to bring up.
Conversation Starters for Knowing Their Likes and Dislikes
One of the most important things to discover about your child is what their dreams, emotions, and values are. When they are five years old this will likely change by the time they are fifteen years old. Some great conversation starters to learn their preferences can be something around the following:
1. What type of clothes do you want to wear today?
This question will give you insight into the styles they like, the colors they like, and the clothes that they feel most comfortable in.
2. What do you like about your friend?
This question will give you insight into the qualities of their friends. It will encourage them to think about their own values and what brings them joy in a relationship.
3. What is something funny that happened today?
This question gives you insight into their humor and what makes them laugh. Maybe it was an embarrassing moment. Maybe it was a joke their friend told. Maybe it was a silly situation they found themselves in. Finding out what makes them laugh is important in understanding their happiness.
Conversation Starters to Improve Relationships
Many relationships for kids are long-distance these days. They spend a lot of time on FaceTime or social media video calling with friends and family. So introducing these conversation starters to their video calls can really help improve relationships all around. Here are some of the best ones:
4. What is your favorite thing about your brother or sister?
This question will give them time to reflect upon what they like about their siblings and help make them feel more appreciative of them. It will also give you insight into how those dynamics are going too—which is so important as a parent.
5. What is your favorite family tradition?
This question is really telling when it comes to the traditions and values they love the most. Maybe it is Christmas. Maybe it is Thanksgiving. Learning what they look forward to the most will help you make these traditions even more magical and memorable.
6. What is your favorite thing to do as a family?
Family time is so important. So understanding what your child enjoys doing the most can help you learn what to make more time for in general. Maybe it is going to the park together. Maybe it is dinner-time conversations.
Conversation Starters to Practice Gratitude
Teaching your child about gratitude is so important, especially when it comes to ensuring they have the right tools and frameworks in place to keep a positive mindset. Here are some conversation starters to help with that:
7. What makes you happy?
This question is quite open-ended but can be a great indicator as to the people or experiences that bring your child joy.
8. Who do you like spending time with?
This question is equally telling, as it gives both your child and yourself insight into the relationships that are most important to them and who has a positive impact on them.
Conversation Starters for Dreaming
Teaching your child how to dream is so important These questions help with that:
9. What superpower do you wish you had?
Chances are this conversation starter will make them believe they are a superhero too!
Conclusion
Practicing these conversation starters with your kids will help them develop personally and socially!
