Texting has replaced talking in many households today. I have seen parents actually send texts to their kids, who are in the next room, as a way to get their attention!
The Challenge of Modern Day Communication
Parents are challenged too, as many lament the fact that there aren’t more hours in the day. Sitting down and actually have a real conversation with one of the kids? Not much chance of that happening!
And while parents texting their kid who is sitting right next to them might be somewhat humorous, it’s also tragic. The gap between parents and kids is widening, and social scientists tend to believe this isn’t a good thing for the future of families or our society.
Family Talk Game for Greater Communication
Family Talk a simple game that gets the communication going.
Family Talk is beautifully simple deck of 100 laminated cards, each about 2″x3-1/4″ in size. They’re joined together by a 2″ round carabiner.
Each card has a question designed to elicit thought-provoking, connection-building conversation. “What is your favorite family photo?” “Name two things that you have never tried but you think would be fun,” or “What is your favorite children’s book?” are a few of the questions.
Thoughts About Family Talk
“I am amazed to find out how the games are being used: icebreakers at school, family night at prisons and teaching verbal communication,” said game creator Beth Daniels, an occupational therapist and mother of two from Eureka, Missouri.
“Engaging family members in real conversations can be a challenge because we think we already know everything about them,” she said. “With Family Talk, you find out how much you don’t know while having good, old-fashioned family fun.”
The family car a great time to pull out the Family Talk cards!
As a parent of three grown kids, I remember ferrying my children around to sports practice, piano lessons and games, and spending literally hours a week in the car. Sure, we’d chat, but it would go something like this:
“So, how did school go today?”
“Okay.”
“Did you have that math test you were so worried about.”
“Yeah.”
“And…? How was it?”
“It was okay.”
Sound familiar?
Family Talk’s questions go far beyond the mundane. Some are serious (“What do you worry about the most, and why?”), and some have big time giggle potential (“If you named a town after your favorite food, what would it be called?”) Either way, they’re just about sure to get some real conversations going in your family.
Many other game card decks available
There are two volumes of Family Talk game cards, as well as Grandparent Talk, for grandparents and their grandkids, Buddy Talk, for friends to use together; likely target age is 7-11, Teen Talk, so teenagers can learn everything about the most important people in their lives: their friends!, and Camp Talk, for family camping trips or kids to use when going to camp.
Award-winning low-tech fun
Family Talk has won over 10 awards since 2008, including being named as one of the 2008 100 Best Children’s Products and one of the Top 10 Thinking Games by childhood specialist Stevanne Auerbach, aka “Dr. Toy.”
The cards retail for $7.99-$19.99 and are available at retail locations nationwide. You can also order them through aroundthetablegames.com. Right now you can win your own from Untrained Housewife!
