As fate would have it, I recently found myself as the front-seat-driver privy to five teenage girls in the backseat playing a game. The object was to talk about a given topic for one solid minute without saying the words “like,” “ya know,” or “whatever.” Topics ranged from the mundane (stop signs) to the icky (ear wax) and as they laughed their way through it, they all agreed that the game was surprisingly challenging. (I swear on my copy of Do you Speak American? that I did not put them up to this.) – See more at: http://familytechsummit.com/blog/2015/12/13/we-like-need-a-better-game-plan/#sthash.PeUXnEzB.XkEXSVnI.dpuf
Our Gen Z’ers have a lot to say, and an unprecedented number of social platforms to have their voices heard. But, in our increasingly digital world, their communication is happening in text, with their heads-down glued to their smartphones. How terrific that this game was allowing them to practice face-to-face communication, and at the same time, challenge their ability to speak without verbal crutches, or what I like to call, the “like, ya know” syndrome.
There is no doubt that our new communications tools, and the social media channels that ride on their backs, are influencing the way our digital kids (and we all) socialize and communicate. We do need a better game plan – or more games and better strategies – to help our kids practice the art of conversation, modifying their speech patterns so the sound of their own voices don’t get in the way of their success.
You’ve no doubt been exposed to the mindless repetition of words peppering the speech of our Gen Z’ers: “like,” “ya know,” “whatever,” “um,” “ah,” “totally,” “actually,” “I mean,” “I can’t,” “I can’t even,” “ya know what I’m sayin’?” Valley Girl Speak has not only made it into the 21st century, it has become even more pervasive. We all want to speak in a way that compels others to listen. But, these verbal habits weaken our speech and water down our meaning. And perhaps, most importantly, distract and turn off the listener. Whether it’s a school presentation, debate, college meeting, internship or job interview – or just engaging fellow students in class – sounding self-assured and speaking articulately is paramount to being taken seriously.
My Digital Daughter Lauren, a teen role model said, “The ‘like, ya know’ syndrome is becoming more and more the norm. We tend to use it without even thinking. And, as social media has taken over as our main means of communicating, our vocabulary suffers with these tics.”
As parents, we have a responsibility. We need to help our kids speak articulately, with conviction, and without all of those filler words. Unfortunately, few things are more irritating, and met with more eye-rolls – from kids and parents alike – than constant verbal correction. So, what are we parents to do?
According to speech/language pathologist Marci Macaluso, “There is nothing pathological going on. These speech patterns are behavioral and there are different strategies we can use to successfully reshape them. Really it all comes down to awareness and practice, practice, practice. We are all so busy bonding and wanting to be part of the ‘tribe’ that we don’t realize how habitual these verbal crutches become, how they take over our speech and the way we present ourselves.” As parents, we need to empower our kids to find their own authentic voice. We need to help them learn how to speak articulately, with confidence and without riddling every sentence with filler words; to look a person in the eye; to shake a hand, to make a physical connection. Mostly, we need to model good behavior ourselves.
I am greatly looking forward to participating in FamilyTech’s Modern Parenting panel at CES, sharing the stage with experts and discussing the challenges we face as we raise our children in this increasingly complicated digital world.
And, I am excited to be announcing that; “there’s LikeSo an app for that!”
– See more at: http://familytechsummit.com/blog/2015/12/13/we-like-need-a-better-game-plan/#sthash.PeUXnEzB.XkEXSVnI.dpuf
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