Age: 3-5
Applicable To: Groups or Individuals
CAPPD Concepts: Attuned, present
What It Is: Whenever possible in your conversations with children, talk with them openly. Provide them with honest, clear information in age-appropriate language. Allow them time to process the information and ask questions. Don’t avoid talking about subjects or answer their questions just because you feel awkward discussing them. You will find that over time you gain more comfort and confidence talking about uncomfortable issues and children in turn will be more open with you.
Why It Helps: Open discussion helps kids learn generally to talk openly and develop good conversation skills. Open dialogue will also help children feel more comfortable discussing difficult issues. When children have the truth and the facts, it decreases their impulsivity and aggression. Open discussion also communicates respect for the children, which helps build their self-esteem.
