Teaching Kids to Connect
The Surgeon General has sounded the alarm: Loneliness is a public health threat. Half of U.S. adults report feeling lonely, and surprisingly, young adults are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as senior citizens. When we are out of real connection with family, friends, and colleagues, the consequences are serious, including threats to mental and physical health, increased stress, and accelerated risk of death. This news should be alarming to parents and families. We should make every effort to prioritize in-person, interactive connection where possible, with regular check-ins and sustained family engagement. Parents can also set children on the right course, by teaching them how to build healthy relationships.
1. Teach empathy and active listening: Encourage your children to listen to others with an open mind and to try to understand their perspectives. Help them practice active listening by asking questions and repeating what the other person has said to show that they understand.
2. Foster open communication: Encourage your children to express themselves honestly and openly, and create an environment where they feel safe and comfortable doing so. Let them know that it’s okay to disagree and that conflicts can be resolved through communication.
3. Model healthy relationships: Children learn by example, so it’s important for you to model healthy relationships in their own lives. Show your children how to communicate effectively, respect others, and handle conflict in a constructive way.
4. Encourage positive self-esteem: Help your children develop a positive sense of self-worth and self-esteem, which can help them form healthy relationships. Encourage them to embrace their unique qualities and to treat themselves with kindness and respect.
5. Teach boundaries: Teach your children the importance of setting healthy boundaries in their relationships. Help them identify what their personal boundaries are and how to communicate them to others in a respectful way. This can help prevent them from being taken advantage of or mistreated in relationships.
As we approach summer, you can give your children space to practice their skills by:
· Spending time together as a family.
· Enrolling them in camps and enrichment classes where there will be lots of social engagement.
· Planning road trips and excursions, specifically to visit family they don’t see often.
· Attending community events and visiting public venues where they can meet other children.
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