When communicating with your child, your messages can be more effective if you take account what they know and understand at various stages in their development as well as their readiness to learn new information at different ages. Before starting those conversations, take a moment to learn more about how to deliver that message
School Age (6-11 years)
- to see how they communicate.
- to see how you should communicate.
"Having the conversation" with your 4-6th Grader
THE CONVERSATION
There are many teachable moments, or “everyday” opportunities, to talk to your child about alcohol and other drugs and to communicate your values. As your child grows your discussions will change but your dialogue is always centered keeping your child healthy, happy, and safe. Sample scenarios are presented below to guide you with ways to infuse prevention messages when everyday opportunities present themselves. Keep your conversations relaxed, friendly, nonjudgmental, and genuine so that your child feels connected to you and feels comfortable coming to you when needed. Most importantly, be a good listener.
Your child sees an adult smoking and, since you’ve talked about the dangers of smoking, is confused.
What to Say
Grownups can make their own decisions and sometimes those decisions aren’t the best for their bodies. Sometimes, when someone starts smoking, his or her body feels like it has to have cigarettes—even though it’s not healthy. And that makes it harder for him or her to quit.
Your child tells you he was offered prescription drugs by a classmate — but said no.
What to Say
After praising your child for making a good choice and for telling you about it, let him know that he can always come to you.
Your child has expressed curiosity about the pills she sees you take every day — and the other bottles in the medicine cabinet.
What to Say
Just because it’s in a family’s medicine cabinet doesn’t mean that it is safe for you to take. Even if your friends say it’s okay, say, “No, my parents won’t let me take something that doesn’t have my name on the bottle.”
for more information on how to protect your child.
Your child will encounter several transitions throughout their school years. Moving from elementary school to junior high to high school to college and beyond can be a very stressful time for many children. Moving, leaving friends, and changing schools can cause great anxiety for some students. This may result in academic difficulties, social/emotional problems, decline in self-concept, poor motivation, decreased attendance, and increased dropout rates. In addition, there are other transitions such as loss of a loved one, parents’ divorce, or birth of a new sibling that can increase the chance of your child participating in high risk behaviors. Talk to your child about these moments being temporary and assist them to identify healthy coping skills.