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Well, it won’t be wrong to say that as a parent, you always try to keep your kids from saying anything that might be insulting or rude in front of others. But keeping them quiet for a significant part of their childhood can result in more considerable damage that might reflect their personality. You wouldn’t want your kids to be silenced, correct? And looking at the current situation, with all the protests and agendas revolving around it, it’s a matter of time before your kid might also become a part of them. That’s why teaching kids how to speak for themselves is crucial even when no one supports them.
Read along to find some of the best ways to help your kids speak for themselves and others to express their opinion without disrespecting others.
1. Ask Their Point Of View
You have to initiate the conversation about sharing opinions with your kids. Only some kids will go straight to their parents to discuss serious topics they might have heard from the news or while listening to others. So to get to know what they think, you have to make them comfortable and show interest that you are willing to listen to their thoughts or beliefs.
2. Encourage Them To Open Up More
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Once your kid starts expressing their views on a point, you can tease them by asking about a few relatable aspects of the topic. Indeed, they’ll follow your questions and maybe get their answers instantly, or you can get ready for some questionnaires. So you must also know how to stand up for your opinions with solid facts that make you believe in something and can influence your kids too.
3. Keep An Open-Minded Personality
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A person is never wrong. It’s their ideology. Whenever you come across absurd opinions from your kids, don’t try to belittle them because they are trying to find answers. And you know that their mind can take them through every aspect of their thinking to conclude a solid point. So, try to maintain open-mindedness when answering questions or trying to correct their beliefs.
4. Prepare Them For Situations
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You are your kid’s first and best teacher. Life is more about moral values rather than just academic ones. So it’s your responsibility to be a role model for your kids. Some shy children are aware of what they ought to request, but when the moment comes, they struggle to express themselves. Practice imaginary scenarios with your kid. Even better, you can work with your kid to write an opening speech for when they need to speak up.
5. Give Relatable Examples
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Besides you, your kid will get highly influenced by others as well. So, you can make them aware of young leaders, fearless examples, historical moments, and whatnot to make them believe that every voice matters and every idea is great. From Malala Yousuf to Greta Thunberg, knowing their stories will significantly impact your kids’ mentality and how they express their thoughts.
6. Show Them The Ways To Express
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Expressing views isn’t just limited to speeches or verbal exchanges. In today’s world, social media is a powerful tool to express your opinions and get heard by millions. So you can tell your kids if they want to connect with more people or want a general idea about something, they can always reach out to others online.
7. Teach Them The Limitations Of Expressing Personal Opinions
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Well, expressing a point of view takes guts and courage. But sometimes, people diverge from proving others’ opinions wrong to set an even worse example by demeaning them. So, teaching your kid that they don’t have to belittle others to prove their opinion is correct is essential. This way, they will be able to take criticism for themselves in a better way as well.
8. Let Them Know That Not Everyone Will Be On Their Side
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One more important thing to remember is that only a few think the same way. Just like any coin, people have different sides and different opinions. Your kid should be aware of such instances where they might face backlash for putting out their ideas in front of crowds. However, they shouldn’t feel unwanted or insulted in such scenarios and should show others respect. Teach your children to confidently express their opinions while maintaining composure and avoiding outbursts of rage or finger-pointing.
Speaking out for oneself is a skill that takes time and repetition for many children to master. They must speak with confidence and appropriate reasoning. However, introverted kids could find it challenging to ask for assistance or keep out their ideas, especially if they struggle. With the suggested ways, you can easily help your child learn how to speak for themselves, even when asking for help.
