中國傳統有說『食不言、寢不語』，可是英國最近對三萬五千名8至16歲兒童進行的追蹤研究發現，每日全家一同進餐時的談話，大大有助於提高兒童的溝通能力，也可以增強自信心，讓孩子變得更積極自主，提高學習能力。
專家說，家人間親密的對話可以讓兒童建立說話和聆聽能力，相對來說，默默無語地坐下吃飯的家庭，其"傷害"比一家人分開吃飯還要強！
An UK study on 35000 children ages 8 to 16 show that conversation during family mealtime helps boost children's communication skills and enhances confidence level. Data also suggests that sitting in silence at mealtimes is worse for children's confidence than not sitting down for family meals at all.
全文如下：
Talking at mealtimes boosts children's confidence
By Judith Burns
BBC News education reporter
Mealtime chatter helps boost children's communication skills, suggests a study by the National Literacy Trust.
Children whose families sit and talk during meals are more confident, the poll of 35,000 UK children indicates.
But more than one in every four misses out on daily mealtime chats with their families, suggests the poll.
Former EastEnders actress, mother and literacy campaigner Natalie Cassidy said: "Food is fuel for our bodies. So is conversation for our brains."
Ms Cassidy urged parents: "Even if you're strapped for time, make 10-15 minutes to all sit down together."
Vital conversationShe said "the spoken word and listening back are the first steps on the learning ladder" for her daughter Eliza, three.
Children aged eight to 16, from 188 schools across the UK, completed the questionnaire in their classrooms late last year.
The data suggests that sitting in silence at mealtimes is worse for children's confidence than not sitting down for family meals at all.
The results suggest that some two-thirds (62%) of those who talk daily with their families at mealtimes feel confident to speak in front of a group, compared with less than half (47%) of those who eat in silence and just over half (52%) of children who don't sit down for meals.
Some three-quarters (75%) of those who chat at family meals said they felt confident to join in class discussions, compared with 57% of those who sit together to eat but never or rarely talk and just under two-thirds (64%) of those who don't sit down for meals.
The study also suggests that the majority of children and young people (87%) sit down with their family at mealtimes - but while almost three-quarters (74%) of families chat at mealtimes every day, some 7% said they almost always ate together in silence.
Life skillsChildren on free school meals were slightly less likely to report chatting with their families at mealtimes everyday (71%).
The rate for older pupils was also lower - 68% of 14- to 16-year-olds, compared with 76% of 11- to 14-year-olds.
The National Literacy Trust's Words for Life campaign calls on families to encourage their children's speaking and listening skills "by taking simple steps like chatting together at mealtimes".
The trust's director Jonathan Douglas said: "Our research shows just how vital conversation at home is to the future success of our children and young people.
"Talking and communicating at home, for example at mealtimes, will help children gain the skills they need for a successful and happy life."
