Communication with Children and adolescents

Communication with children and adolescents is a daily activity for most people in their private life and for many in their work too. Still, it is quite difficult and this is certainly the case when we have to speak about a problem. We are good at telling children what we want them to do, but less talented in really communicating with them. Each age has its own characteristics.

In the case of children and adolescents with a problem, this is even worse. Adults often feel somewhat awkward how to behave: If the child does not speak about ‘it’, does that mean that he or she has no problems with ‘it’? But of course children think and feel too, and wonder:  If the adult does not speak about ‘it’, does that mean that I should be silent too?

Children and adolescents want to communicate about their problem. And most of all, they want to share.

Communication is more than a technique, more than knowing about what kind of questions to put before the child. It is first about the attitude.

The most powerful weapon in empowering the child is adult modesty.

Martine Delfos

Coördinator Leontine van den Berg