He created a fantasy world for everyone, irrespective of age, size and colour. He built a real wonder land where children and their parents can share a lot of fun. With him, the world is filled with magic, whimsy and optimism.
Wait a minute! Have you ever wished to become a child for a day…yes; sand packing, pillow fight, toy tussle and all the silly things that children do?
“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.” says Walt Disney.
Walt Disney, an American animator and producer who lived from 1901 to 1966, did not just pioneer the fields of animation and cartoons, he discovered new ways to teach, educate and communicate, especially for children. His keen sense of education through entertainment transcends the barrier of language, class and distance.
He continues to bring out the child inside all of us; several decades after his demise, his ideas and creations still resonate with us. From ‘Mickey mouse’, ‘Snow White’, ‘Pinocchio’, to ‘The living desert’, ‘The African Lion’ and so much more!
Walt Disney’s achievement indicates that communicating with children is good business. Good communication builds self esteem and boost interpersonal relationship. As we bask in this year’s Children’s Day celebration as commemorated every May, 27, in Nigeria, we are reminded to communicate better with our children. Respectful and responsible interaction is key. When it comes to communication and children, here are a few tips you may find useful.
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. Children need to learn and practise good listening skills, self control,courtesy, use of good language and so much more. They are highly impressionable and are always picking vibes from you. Therefore, parents should lead by example so as to teach good communication and conversation skills that will benefit their children in future. Be conscious of what you say and how you say it. They imitate your tone of voice and mannerisms.
ALWAYS LISTEN AND RESPOND. Talk with your child by using simple and positive words. Pay attention to his/her needs and react positively. Children are most likely to share when you show you care. They are most open when you show them how important and effective their communication is. Also teach them about non-verbal communication. Most of all, read between the lines, they may unknowing tell you something very important. Therefore resist the urge to interrupt or hush them.
MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. This shows that you are interested, open and honest. You can redirect children’s behaviour through this non-verbal means. But in this age of gadgets and midgets, you can miss nonverbal cues when you are checking text messages or chatting on-line.Your children deserve your undivided attention.
COMMUNICATE CLEARLY. Keep your words as simple as possible so as not to confuse your child. Recognize gestures and teach your child how to be sensitive and empathetic with others. Learning how to say what they mean to say and mean what they say is vital in developing assertiveness and self confidence.
SPEND TIME AND READ TOGETHER This is a good way for your child to develop literacy and language skills. Reading helps your child to build up an enviable vocabulary. It stimulates their imagination and widens their understanding of the world. This is in line with the theme for this year’s Children’s Day Celebration, “Readers today, Leaders tomorrow,” by Oratorz Book Hub, Nigeria.The Oratorz Book Hub idea is to inspire a lifelong relationship with written words, foster fluency in spoken words and groom a generation of children with good communication skills.
Indeed, there is a child in everyone of us. Reach out to a child today; talk, walk touch, smile, read, pray, sing, dance…share and explore with them… their free and fun-filled world. Happy Children’s Day!
CHIAMAKA BOBBY-UMEANO
