Released Feb. 1, 2008
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Asking a question can be a child´s way of inviting conversation with his or her parents, a Kansas State University family specialist said.
Parents who fail to follow up on the child´s question may diminish opportunities for future communication with the child, said Charlotte Shoup Olsen, K-State Research and Extension family systems specialist.
Suppose, for example, a child returning after a day at school asks: "What´s for dinner?"
Which of the following responses will contribute to positive interaction and future communication between the parent and child?
1. Responding with a sharp: "Get in here and help ..." (from a harried parent).
2. Turning to the child and saying, calmly: "I´m working on it. Would you like to help?"
3. Ignoring the question, and asking: "Can you get the salt?"
Turning to the child and inviting her to get involved invites dialog that can serve as a foundation for future communications, Olsen said.
More information on managing family relationships is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on Extension´s Web site, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu.
--30--
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
