Many parents and teachers find it hard to discuss important topics with their children, such as death, abuse, menstruation, sex, and so on. One of the key reasons for this is that they may not know what to say when their children ask them questions about these themes. This ppt is a guide for teachers and parents to overcome this difficulty.

1. HOW TO HAVE A
DIFFICULT
CONVERSATION WITH
CHILDREN?

2. WHY IT IS DIFFICULT TO DISCUSS
SOME TOPICS WITH CHILDREN?
Often filled with hesitation, many parents and teachers find it
hard to discuss important topics such as death, abuse,
menstruation, sex, and so on
Children need to learn from a reliable source rather than
acquiring half-knowledge from non-credible sources or
online.

3. DON’T RUN FROM THE
CONVERSATION
It’s not fair to avoid or dismiss their questions because children
continue to be inquisitive. If you don’t respond, they’ll try to
figure out the answers on their own. This may result in inaccurate
information.

4. HOW TO START?
Reading them stories about these topics triggers some
questions in their heads. Especially for young ones, the
simplest approach to communicating with children about
particular situations and topics is through stories.

5. Kids are generally more detail-oriented than adults, therefore
they will pick out certain aspects that you may have overlooked.
It is useful to gather information by asking open and exploratory
questions rather than jumping to offer solutions and opinions right
away.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT
CHILDREN ARE SAYING

6. Don’t ambush them when you are free or whenever they are in
front of you. Inform the child that you want to talk to them about
something and seek their time and permission for this.
DON’T AMBUSH CHILDREN

7. If you try to impose your ways strongly, they may misinterpret
them or simply exit the conversation.
They may believe that they are not heard or that their thoughts
are not valued.
DON’T PUSH CHILDREN. BE
PATIENT. GIVE TIME.

8. Don’t lie to them. You can simply say “I’ll get back to you with
that” or “I’ll look into this and inform you then.” It gives kids the
sense that it’s okay if you don’t know everything and that you
don’t have to know everything.t
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU
DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER

9. Do make sure that children feel heard, respected, and
comfortable in the conversation. If a conversation makes them
uncomfortable, ask exploratory questions to respond to
discomfort. This is how you would help nurture empathy, curiosity,
and respect for diversity in society.
ASK EXPLORATORY
QUESTONS

10. Ginny’s Planet is a social enterprise, It runs on the core value of
helping our teachers and parents to teach their children to
become independent, smart and better leaders by equipping them
with a deep understanding of empathy, diversity, disability and
inclusion.
www.ginnysplanet.com
ABOUT GINNY'S PLANET