Many parents and guardians can relate to the following statements:

“Sometimes it feels like talking to my child is like talking to an alien from another world.”
“Talking to my child is like talking to a brick wall — nothing going in or coming out.”
If these sound familiar, please read on. Talking to children so they will listen and share requires parents to learn the special art of communication. Research suggests that the best parent-child relationships are characterized by lots of positive communication and interaction.
Good communications skills build mutual respect between adults and children. It helps to talk on a regular basis about many different things, not just when there is a conflict.
Researchers find that when parents stay in touch through regular attention and conversation, their children are less likely to act out or behave in ways that create conflict or require discipline. Children also are more likely to have increased self-esteem.
Let your child know that you are interested and involved. Do not obsess about “instructing,” but instead focus on talking about feelings and interests. Children do not care what we know unless they know we care first.
Turn off the television or put the newspaper down when your child wants to talk. Give her undivided attention. Listen carefully and politely. Don't interrupt when she is trying to tell a story. Be as courteous to your child as you would be to your best friend.
Don't embarrass your child or put him on the spot in front of others; this will lead only to resentment and hostility.
If you are very angry about a behavior or an incident, do not attempt communicating until you regain your cool, because you cannot be objective until then. It is better to stop, settle down and talk to your child later.
Don't use put-down words like “dumb,” “stupid” or “lazy,” or statements like “What do you know? You're just a child.”
Reinforce your child's attempts at keeping communication open. Do this by accepting him and praising him for his efforts.
Think about your child's developmental level when communicating with her. Just because a child is a certain physical age does not mean she is developmentally that age.
Do not be vague when communicating with children. Be detailed and specific. Each of us has our own perspective and ideas, so the more a parent/guardian can be detailed and specific, the better the child understands expectations.
As with many things in life, we are not “born” with good communication skills, but we have to learn them.
(Source: couriers.com)