logo
BabySparks
logo
  • What is BabySparks?
  • The Science
  • Online Classes
  • Learning Center
  • My BabySparks
  • Login
  • Join Us

    • Contact Us

    • Logout
  • My Profile
    • Contact Us
    • Logout
  • es
  • Prev
    Pediatric physical therapy 0
    What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
    06 May 2020
    Next
    Signs & symbols support language development 0
    How Signs & Symbols Support Language Development
    11 May 2020
    Parenting
    Why Tone Matters When Talking to Babies & Toddlers
    7 May, 2020 by BabySparks in Parenting

    Why tone matters when talking to childrenWhen it comes to effective communication, tone is everything. In fact, the tone we use when conveying a message can sometimes say more than the message itself. Tone is simply defined as ‘the way in which we speak.’ Not what we say, but how we say it. It’s important to be mindful of our tone when talking to others, but especially when we’re talking to children.

    Now, is it easy to control your tone when you discover your 2-year-old drawing on the walls with a permanent marker? Probably not. The point is to be more aware. Understanding the impact of tone on development can help us find the right tone of voice when it matters most.

    Highlights: 

    • Tone is simply defined as ‘the way in which we speak’. Not what we say, but how we say it. 
    • While it’s impossible to control our tone all of the time, it is important to be mindful of our tone when speaking to children.
    • When caregivers yell, toddlers will focus on the emotion rather than the message. In addition, using loud or aggressive tones can have a negative effect on a child’s self-esteem, behavior, and their own ability to communicate. 
    • Using positive, gentle, and calm tones can:
      • Be more effective when disciplining. 
      • Help toddlers become better listeners.
      • Help model the behavior we wish to see. 
      • Strengthen bonds and build trust.

    When the Importance of Tone Begins

    If you think about it, our tone is basically the foundation of baby talk. When we talk to babies, we use a high-pitched tone with exaggerated emotions. Babies have no idea what we’re saying, but research shows that babies as young as 5-months old can detect if a message is positive or negative. Babies are very sensitive to their caregivers’ tone of voice. You can use a calming, soothing tone to talk or sing your baby to sleep or use a sharp, stern “Stop!” to protect them from touching something hot. This shows us that before babies understand words, they understand tone.

    Why Tone Matters When Parenting

    Before we discuss the benefits of using calm tones when parenting, let’s quickly point out that every parent yells. At one point or another, emotions take over staying calm feels out-of-reach. It’s all part of being a parent and a human being. However, as most parents and caregivers already know, yelling represents a loss of control. Young children, especially toddlers, are less likely to hear your message when it’s delivered in a loud, negative, and possibly aggressive tone. Toddlers will focus on the emotion instead of the message itself. In addition, when parents or caregivers yell often, it can have a negative effect on a child’s self-esteem, behavior, and their own ability to communicate.

    Even when it’s time to discipline, it is possible to be firm without using a harsh tone. It takes time and patience (a lot of patience) to adapt to calmer tones when addressing a toddler’s behavior, but there are important benefits that come along with changing our tone.

    First, it’s more effective. Using a gentle tone can help parents and caregivers focus on their intended message, while toddlers can focus on the lesson at hand.

    Second, using a calm tone can help our children become better listeners. Think of loud and negative tones as a set of earplugs. Children have an emotional reaction to these tones that prevents them from being able to actually listen. The more you use calming tones, the more opportunities your child has to practice active listening.

    Third, when we use positive and calming tones, especially in stressful moments, we’re modeling the type of behavior we wish to see in our children. Using the right tone can help our little ones understand how self-regulation works.

    Lastly, being aware of your tone brings you and your child closer together. Positive, reassuring, and gentle tones build trust and strengthen the bond between the two of you. Using the right tone is a sign of respect and love.

    It’s impossible to always use the right tone at the right time. But when we aim for calmer tones with children, we’re helping them form a sense of self, communication skills, and better relationships.

    0 Comments
    • discipline
    • toddler
    • baby
    • parenting
    • social-emotional
    3 Like!
    Share
    BabySparks

    Recent comments

      Tags

      baby child cognitive feeding fine motor gross motor health language language skills milestones parenting sensory social-emotional speech toddler
      ABOUT US
      THE TEAM
      CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
      TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY
      support@babysparks.com
      Copyright © 2021 BabySparks LLC. All rights reserved
      logo
      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 2 of 2
      ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
      (All Prices in USD)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $1.25 per month/per child
      Annually: $12.00 per year/per child (20% discount)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $2.25 per month/per child
      Annually: $21.50 per year/per child (20% discount)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $5.00 per month/per child
      Annually: $45.00 per year/per child (25% discount)

      Number of children:

      x per child

      Total Amount

      SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
      * Required field
      Buy now BS

      BabySparks Premium Gives You…

      Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

      An expert-created program to support the development of children under your care

      Tools to increase family engagement, invite each family to use the program at home

      Ability to track each child's progress in real-time (and share it with his/her family)

      Add unlimited children, caregivers and locations to your account

      Manage and track progress across your organization through our desktop dashboard

      Cancel your subscription at any time

      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
      X
      EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
      Your account
      Change your password
      X
      EDIT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
      Update payment method
      * Required field
      Buy now BS
      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
      X
      UPDATE YOUR PACKAGE
      Your Activity Package
      (All Prices in USD)

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      1 Year

      $ 23 99

      per year

      Update your package at any time
      (All Prices in USD)
      Pay as you go

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      50% Discount

      1 Year

      $ 23 99

      per year

      60% Discount

      Lifetime

      $ 39 99

      one time

      How does it work?

      You can change your activity package at any time.

      The change will take place at the end of your current subscription period.

      You will only be charged the new rate once the change takes place.

      Cancel Activity Package
      shapeCheck

      shapeCheck

      X
      LOGIN BABYSPARKS

      Forgot your password?

      X
      PASSWORD RESET
      X
      RESET PASSWORD
      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 1 of 2
      Create Your Account

      Already Have an Account? Login

      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 1 of 2
      Create Your Account

      Already Have an Account? Login

      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 2 of 2
      Logged in as: (Not me)
      Select Your Activity Package
      (All Prices in USD)
      Pay as you go

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      50% Discount

      1 Year

      $ 1 99

      per month

      Paid Annually: $23.99
      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      60% Discount

      Lifetime

      $ 39 99

      one time

      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      BabySparks Premium Gives You…

      Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

      An expert-created program to support your child’s development

      Weekly development reports summarize progress

      Browse activities for any situation

      Expert-written articles about development

      Sync up to 5 devices (add family and caregivers)

      Add up to 5 babies to your account

      Cancel your susbcription at any time

      * Required field
      Buy now BS
      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.