[By Nic Lindh on Monday, 20 November 2006]
[How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk](How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish grew from a series of workshops the authors performed, and features battle-tested advice about communicating with children of all ages.
At its core, the techniques are simple and—after you’ve read them—obvious, mostly dealing with treating children with respect and listening to what they say. This doesn’t mean that they are simple to implement, though, so the majority of the book consists of hands-on examples of the techniques in action and stories of successes and challenges parents using the methodology have experienced.
The techniques Faber and Mazlish describe are not gimmicks or tricks, but simply the cornerstones of effective communication, as applied to children. Reading the book, it is easy to see how they apply to communication with adults as well.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is a quick but important read. Recommended for any parent.