Make your child realize the impact of silence.

The father of one-year old Manju once worried and brooded over his daughter's inability to speak in full sentences. A year later the man was seen annoyed over his daughter's constant and meaningless chatter. After three years, he was desperately finding ways to inculcate the habit of maintaining silence. 

Very often, we hear children talking nineteen-to-a-dozen. Each trying to speak louder and make one heard over the din. Screaming and shouting is a very normal way to attract attention, not just for children for adults too. Teachers scream themselves hoarse to a keep a class in order. Housewives nag their children while getting the homework done. Collegians shout at each other as a matter of fashion. Therefore, every individual creates excessive noise to be heard and registered. 
 

The practice of shouting is indeed unhealthy. Children need to be told the importance of keeping quiet and talking at a low-decibel volume. Otherwise, these highly talkative children grow into garrulous adults, which certainly do not make a civilized society. 
 

How it starts?

It starts at the very beginning. Parents expose their children to an environment constantly bombarded by words and sounds. Even before children understand or speak a language, they are encouraged to baby talk. Or worse still, children are left alone before a blaring television set, from where they internalize noise and din. Therefore, children tend to give excessive importance to the spoken word at a very early age. They don't ever realize the power of silence, the language of the unspoken word. 
 

Start them young

1. When your baby is just born, play some quiet soothing music in the background while feeding. Don't keep the television or music system blaring. 


2. Talk to your little one in a very soft, gentle and soothing manner. Do not allow anyone in your house to talk very loudly, or to argue in the presence of your child. 


3. Both parents should never incessantly talk gibberish to the child. Talking sweetly to the child does not necessarily mean loud babbling. 


4. Whenever you entrust the child with a maidservant or a watchman, try to check their language, intonation and volume. If possible, try to control their speech visa vis the child. 


5. As your child grows older, do not set a bad example by talking incessantly on the phone or talking aloud in a public place. 

Tips for an older child

1. Get Mahatma Gandhiji's three monkeys as a decoration piece for your child's bedroom. This will be a constant reminder of SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, and SPEAK NO EVIL. It is a value to be inculcated from the initial years.


2. Teach your child to speak only when spoken to in public. Let the child express feelings freely at home, but change the rules for public places. 


3. Tell your child to speak only when it is TRUE, KIND AND NECESSARY.


4. Show the ways to conserve energy by focusing on reading or the creative arts that help in shaping a human being. 


5. Stress outdoor activities during evening time. Let the child take interest in Nature, not television or video games etc. A fieldtrip into the wilderness can teach the child to appreciate the magic of silence and the sounds of Nature. 


6. Whenever a child achieves a small goal or assignment or target, do not encourage the habit of bragging. Children who constantly talk about themselves do not make good company in the future.


7. Introduce the child to a course on yoga and meditation to move towards a fulfilling life. It will also help in removing distractions and increasing the concentration level. The child will grow up to be a more focused, composed and less stressed adult.