Let’s Talk
Parent & Teen Communication
Enduring Understandings
• Communication is critical during
the teen years
• Learning how to communicate
clearly and effectively is an
ongoing process
• Parents’ ability to listen to their
teen effects their ability to impact
and influence their teen
Essential Questions
• Why is communication critical
during the teen years?
• What are strategies for
communicating clearly and
effectively?
• Why is listening such an important
part of communication?
Why communication is critical?
• Spending more time away from
parents
• Gaining independence
• Expected to take responsibility for
actions
• Needing guidance for healthy decisionmaking and character development
Parent Communication Styles
• Non-Assertive – Avoiding what you
think, feel, want, or believe because….
• You are afraid to risk the
consequences
• You don’t believe in your own rights
• You don’t know how to speak up for
yourself
• You think another person’s rights
are more important than yours
Parent Communication Styles
• Aggressive – Saying what you think,
feel, want, or believe in ways that deny
another person’s right to be treated
with respect....
• Anger
• Meanness
• Hurtful
• Put-Downs
• Spiteful
Parent Communication Styles
• Assertive – Saying what you think, feel,
want, or believe….
• In ways that don’t damage another
person’s right to be treated with
respect
• In straightforward, nonthreatening
ways
• In ways that don’t deny your own
rights
Learning Activity
Table Talk
• What are the most important aspects of
communication with your teen?
• How does being aggressive in your communication
with your teen work against you?
• How does being non-assertive in your
communication with your teen work against you?
• How does using assertive communication with your
teen help you to get your point across?
• Without making your teen feel defensive?
• Without making your teen unsure of what you
really want?
Active Listening
• Listen when your teen wants to talk
• Listen without distractions
• Listen without interrupting
• Listen without judgment
• Listen with your eyes, ears, & heart
• Listen with empathy and share what you
believe you heard your teen say
• Listen without needing to provide a
solution
Listening actively will lead to your teen
listening to you
Listen & Use the 5 A’s….
•
•
•
•
•
Affirmation
Acceptance
Appreciation
Availability
Accountability
Table Talk
Bibliography & Resources
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•
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parentin
g/communication.shtml
http://www.powershow.com/view/34d08N2M1Y/Communicating_with_your_teena
ger_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2
/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Parenting_commun
icating_with_teenagers
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE0780/
Bibliography & Resources
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•
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http://www.aces.edu/teens/stayconnecte
d/insession.php
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE0780/
Words Kids Need to Hear by David Staal
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So
Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine
Mazlish
Bringing Up Kids Without Tearing Them
Down by Dr. Kevin Leman