The way we speak to and about children shapes their perception of the world and themselves. Often, even common phrases or “innocent” labels can become barriers in a relationship. To help adults understand children better, the Head of the Psychological Supervision Department at the Ridni Foundation shared professional advice in a feature for NV.
The article explores in detail why it is crucial to avoid generalizations and how to build a dialogue that supports rather than traumatizes.
The younger the child, the more significant an adult’s words become. Each of them leaves a mark on the ‘mirror’ through which the child views themselves: stains and scratches from careless words distort the reflection, and the child sees themselves not as they truly are. That is why our words carry immense weight and significantly impact a child’s self-esteem, – notes psychologist.
