Respectful Conversations | Dr Emma Clarke

Clare interviews Dr Emma Clarke, a writer, teacher, and teacher trainer specialising in behaviour.

After teaching in primary schools for almost 18 years, Emma now teaches on a primary training course. Her interests include approaches to supporting behaviour in schools. She has presented her research nationally and internationally, as well as publishing both in books and peer-reviewed journals.

Emma talks about how to have respectful conversations at home, starting with the basics of body language. She explains the importance of showing children we’re listening, and making sure that everyone in the family feels heard.

In this episode, Emma recommends the book Working with Children and Teenagers Using Solution Focused Approaches, by Judith Milner and Jackie Bateman.

Emma also shares three top tips with us:

• 1: Be ‘respectfully confident’: When you’re speaking to your child and when they speak with you, have the expectation that you will listen to each other.
• 2: Body language: Think about if you’re showing your child that you’re listening when they’re talking to you.
• 3: Time for conversations: We spend lots of time together, but what percentage of it is focused on having quality conversations? Carve out regular time just to talk with each other.

You can find Emma on social media:

• Twitter: @emmac_larke

The My Family Coach podcasts covers every aspect of children’s behaviour, all in handy 15 minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use at home