1. Let’s Talk Parent & Teen Communication

2. 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

3. 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?

4. Why communication is critical? Spending more time away from parents Gaining independence Expected to take responsibility for actions Needing guidance for healthy decision- making and character development

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Learning Activity

9. 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?

10. 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

11. Listen & Use the 5 A’s…. Affirmation Acceptance Appreciation Availability Accountability

12. Table Talk

13. Bibliography & Resources http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parentin g/communication.shtml http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parentin g/communication.shtml http://www.powershow.com/view/34d08- N2M1Y/Communicating_with_your_teena ger_powerpoint_ppt_presentation http://www.powershow.com/view/34d08- N2M1Y/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.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2 /bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Parenting_commun icating_with_teenagers http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE- 0780/ http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE- 0780/

14. Bibliography & Resources http://www.aces.edu/teens/stayconnecte d/insession.php http://www.aces.edu/teens/stayconnecte d/insession.php http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE- 0780/ http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE- 0780/ 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