Ask open-ended questions – Communication is the gateway to connection and one of the best ways to foster more connection is through open-end questions and being curious. “Tell me more about that?” / “What does that mean to you?” questions instead of questions that limit responses to only yes or no “Did you like it?” / “Would you want to go back?”

Remember vulnerability is a skill – If you haven’t already seen Brené Brown’s Ted Talk “The Power of Vulnerability” on Youtube, definitely set aside sometime to watch. Giving yourself space to feel your feelings and share parts of yourself is without doubt a huge skill and should be championed.

Talk about highs & lows – In our home towards the end of dinner we ask the question, “What were your highs/lows of the day?” It’s similar to asking “What were your favorite parts? and what were your least favorite parts?” The children really enjoy it and sometimes will to do highs/lows outside of dinner. Recently we’ve had in a bonus question “What was your funny part?”

Be silly and play together – It’s no secret that children learn and communicate through play. Embrace and honor your inner child and play together. Whether it’s a round of hide and go seek, board game, or getting crafty, the opportunities are endless.

Celebrate the little wins – There was a TikTok trend going around recently doing just this. Even the smallest or accidently wins are still wins. Celebrate yourself and your family with a happy dance, a cool handshake, or sincere heartful validation. All wins matter and should be celebrated.

This list isn’t exhaustive and we love to share all of the different types of connection builders in our toolbox.