Listen to the things your child finds difficult to talk about.

8-9, skill 7 — *She encouraged students to share sensitive and difficult topics. Photo: THU HA*

Here, difficult topics between parents and children are shared and addressed through empathy and closeness, helping children learn to listen, understand, and grow.

Accompanying the adolescent journey

Having spent many years working closely with students, having the opportunity to be close to them and listen to their stories, Ms. Thuy Loan established skills clubs and later life skills classes for children.

Initially intended to support teaching, the classroom gradually became a place for connecting and supporting parents and students.

Ms. Loan has offered the class for free since its inception, and for nearly 10 years, she has consistently held a summer course for students aged 9 to 13.

Each class has approximately 40 students, from various schools across the city. Each course includes essential life skills education tailored to each age group.

Lessons are made more concrete and engaging through experiential games, role-playing, group discussions, group practice, individual practice, debates, and more.

After being encouraged, explored, and discussed sensitive issues, Minh Khue, a 7th-grade student at Nguyen Hue Secondary School, expressed that she used to get easily frustrated when she didn't achieve her goals, but after her teacher shared ways to control her emotions, she learned to regulate her own feelings.

Meanwhile, Bao Han, a 6th-grade student at a junior high school in Hai Chau ward, was excited because she used to use social media frequently but didn't know how to manage her time or distinguish between true and false information. Now, she feels more confident after learning how to use social media safely.

Mr. Cao Minh (An Hai ward), whose child is attending a life skills class this summer, expressed: “Adolescents experience many psychological and physiological changes, and there are private matters that are difficult and embarrassing for them to discuss with their parents.”

Through the class, I am very happy to see that my child has gained many new skills, changed the way they talk and behave with parents and friends, and also learned to love themselves and respect others…”.

Sow the seeds to nurture the future.

According to Ms. Thuy Loan, during adolescence, teenagers can learn many useful things, but they are also easily influenced by misleading information that is inappropriate for their age.

Therefore, children desperately need the support of their families and proper education on sexuality and reproductive health to avoid being abused, accessing misleading information, and engaging in unsafe relationships.

When dealing with sensitive topics like puberty and sexuality, Ms. Loan often begins with relatable stories, illustrative examples, or open-ended games to help the children feel comfortable and safe sharing.

“I want the students to understand that the issues they consider ‘sensitive’ or ‘difficult to talk about’ are normal things that everyone needs to know to protect themselves. I encourage them to ask questions and present scenarios so the whole class can discuss how to handle them. Thanks to this open and respectful approach, they overcome their shyness and confidently speak out about things they find difficult to talk about,” Ms. Loan said.

Ms. Loan also suggested that, to help children become confident, parents should equip themselves with knowledge about adolescent psychology, sexuality, and life skills, and become their children's companions.

Parents should be patient and create a safe and trustworthy environment for their children so they can share everything, including sensitive topics. When parents listen and don't avoid the issue, children will understand that this is essential knowledge.

Parents can also work with their children to select reliable information, read books, watch videos , and participate in skills classes… so that children can acquire knowledge in a healthy environment, grow up safely, and become happy.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/lang-nghe-nhung-dieu-con-kho-noi-3302800.html