Effective communication is essential to all aspects of one’s life. Communication skills affect relationships at home, with children, with friends, and at work. Just as effective communication is almost always found in strong, healthy families, unhealthy relationships often have poor communication.

Communication skills include speaking, listening and nonverbal communication.

Speaking Skill

Good communication helps build relationships in good times and improve them in bad times. It is extremely important to communicate within the family and it helps members of the family to share their needs, expectations and thoughts to each other. They should communicate their opinions and emotions in a simple and straightforward manner. This is particularly important when attempting to address conflicts that occur within family members.

Listening Skill

Listening about what people are saying is an important part of good communication. Being an active listener means doing the best to consider the other person’s point of view. If you’re listening to your spouse or child, it’s important to pay careful attention to their verbal and non-verbal signals. We can provide a relaxed atmosphere that encourages family members to share their opinions and emotions freely.

Nonverbal Communication Skill

Your spouse or child might say something verbally, but their facial gestures or body language may tell you something entirely different. In such a situation, it’s important to know how the person really feels.

In general, family members need to practice positive communications which include the following five aspects for good family communication:

  • respectful,
  • open,
  • honest,
  • straight-forward and
  • kind.

Family Communication Infographic