WHY PEOPLE NEED TO COMMUNICATE
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Communication is vital in conveying respect and value for people by:
· Remembering the person’s name
· Introducing yourself
· Giving time to listen to them
· Paying attention
· Active listening
· Asking questions
· Not interrupting
· Checking your understanding
· Mirroring(for example, smiling, physical gestures, matching them)[3].
When we communicate we connect with other people, but we also connect with ourselves. Some form of communication are spoken /signed, but about 85% of communication is non-verbal[4].
There are many reasons as to why people communicate:
•Communication is a tool with which influence can be exercised on others. •Communication can be used to bring out changes in attitudes, motivate people and establish and maintain relationships.
•Communication is vital for seeking and providing information. •Communication is a tool with which influence can be exercised on others. •Communication can be used to bring out changes in attitudes, motivate people and establish and maintain relationships.
•We communicate to express our emotions like courage or fear, joy or sorrow, satisfaction or disappointment with appropriate gestures and words. •Communication is crucial for developing positive relationships with children, young people and their families, colleagues and other professionals. •Communication allows ideas to be conveyed clearly and succinctly.
•It is a process by which two or more people exchange ideas, facts, feelings or impressions in ways that each gains a common understanding of the message[5].
Communication can affect relationships in the work setting
Effective communication is a two-way process - sending the right message, that is also being correctly received and understood by the other person/s. It is essential that there is good and effective communication taking place within the work setting. Daily tasks will only be successful with smooth transfers of information.Practitioners must establish positive relationship with other adults and children and young people in the setting. This includes colleagues, other professionals, parents, carers and other family members. This is important because communication:
1. Communication enhances positive working relationships which in turn lead to a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere in the working environment. This is beneficial to both staff and children because the practitioners working environment is the child’s play and learning space, When positive relationships are formed it is easier for colleagues to give and receive trust, support, help, and advice, information and encouragement. Good team work depends on positive working.
2. A positive relationship is established between parents and practitioners overtime, trust is built and parents generally begin to gain confidence in both the practitioner and the setting. Good practitioners work in partinership with parents and carers, but this can only be achieved when a positive relationship has been established[6].
Staff that does not feel as if they have good communication with their managers may not be as efficient with their work. Effective communication skills are also needed to encourage staff to talk about how they are feeling, to say what they think or to express their needs, concerns, wishes or preferences. Positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills, such as being friendly, smiling and shaking hands when greeting parents and staff, are required on a daily basis to show that staff care and they are there to support the children. Communication help to develop a positive relationship with families, colleagues, and other professionals and report the work they do with people[7]. Breakdown in communication in the work setting can lead to a number of things including a sense of anxiety, alienation as well as feelings of isolation. When you are working in a team and especially if it is in a company, you need to be a team player and get along with several members of staff no matter how much you may dislike them.
If people don't communicate well they limit their ability to connect on any meaningful level and, at the extreme, can create conflict. Positive communication skills like listening, open-ended questions, calm tone of voice and "I" statements help unite people because they are behaviours that lead to sustained relationships. Workplace relationships also become a lot stronger when people can clearly and effectively communicate what they need and allow others to do the same.
Effective communication helps us not only relate better to each other, it also helps us do more with minimal effort. You can help develop a strong working relationship with colleagues and business in these tough economic times. Networking is key to succeeding as people tend to do business with people that they like. A frequently overlooked quality is the ability to actively listen which will help you obtain more information to enforce better decisions.
The power of effective communication is essential and the ability to have the chance to develop, expand and develop personal relationships will stand you in good stead and for the company[8].
Factors to consider when promoting effective communication.
There are many factors that one has to consider when promoting effective communication. When communicating one should:
a) Communicate with respect. Always communicate politely and courteously with adults within your work setting. Friendships are built on respect for each other, valuing people and respecting each others’ views and opinions[9].
b) Communicate appropriately: Address people appropriately. Aim to communicate clearly in away which is appropriate to individual adults by considering the methods of communication available to you, what you need to say and the needs and preferences of the adults[10].
c) Effective Communication Within the Workplace
In managing employees, supervisors promote workplace harmony when they model effective communication. If you fail to get your point across, this can impact workplace morale and slow down projects.
d) Speak with sensitivity to gain trust
Employees feel loyalty when managers understand their pressures[11].
e) Tone and pitch of your voice, does it suit the situation or topic? A louder more direct communication maybe required if trying to get the attention of a group of children to come back inside. However this would not be suitable in a situation whereby a child is upset say for example if they have wet themselves and are embarrassed, this would need a quieter and understanding tone to reassure them.
f).Use of language is important, when talking to children you need to keep things simpler than if you were walking to an adult, however if you talking to an adult using very simple instructions this may be deemed as patronising, so it is important to choose your language carefully.
g).The speed in which you talk is also key. When talking to children tend to get down to their level and talk to them at a relatively slow speed, this way they are more likely to understand me more than if I was walking round above them talking as though I would talk to adults.
h).Facial and hand gestures, again this needs to be tailored to the situation or topic. In the example above, a smile and perhaps a hand on their shoulder is sufficient to the situation. Whereby frowning and waving arms as if annoyed would be detrimental to the feelings of the child.
I).Eye contact is an important factor as this engages the audience, keeping them focused on what you are discussing. By making eye contact you are directing your conversation at that specific person, demonstrating that you are devoting your time and are not able to be distracted as if you would by looking around.
I). Body language plays an important part, for example folded arms can indicate you are being defensive or not open to suggestions, whereas slouching, hands on hips, rolling of eyes and huffing can seem rude and disrespectful[12].
f).Use of language is important, when talking to children you need to keep things simpler than if you were walking to an adult, however if you talking to an adult using very simple instructions this may be deemed as patronising, so it is important to choose your language carefully.
g).The speed in which you talk is also key. When talking to children tend to get down to their level and talk to them at a relatively slow speed, this way they are more likely to understand me more than if I was walking round above them talking as though I would talk to adults.
h).Facial and hand gestures, again this needs to be tailored to the situation or topic. In the example above, a smile and perhaps a hand on their shoulder is sufficient to the situation. Whereby frowning and waving arms as if annoyed would be detrimental to the feelings of the child.
I).Eye contact is an important factor as this engages the audience, keeping them focused on what you are discussing. By making eye contact you are directing your conversation at that specific person, demonstrating that you are devoting your time and are not able to be distracted as if you would by looking around.
I). Body language plays an important part, for example folded arms can indicate you are being defensive or not open to suggestions, whereas slouching, hands on hips, rolling of eyes and huffing can seem rude and disrespectful[12].
How people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways.
Communication can be slightly different when using it with other people from different backgrounds. Communication can be interpreted in different ways by different people, this is because they may not speak English, if from a different country, or they may not understand you.
a) Other people may think that if they’re being listened to, they will express their beliefs and their opinions about life.
b) Different people from other backgrounds may use verbal communication to express what they think, however they could also use non-verbal communication to put their point across. Parent/carer of a child may have other preferences for their child to other parents/carers. This means the practitioner will have to respect these.
c) Communication can be used in many ways by using different methods. Children from different backgrounds can communicate by doing what they like best. Children could use body language and facial expressions to express their needs or what they want to do in the workplace. Practitioners may use gestures and body language to show the parents/carers that they are always friendly and can be relied on.
d) People from different backgrounds can use communication by being confident. This shows their personality and will help the communication between them and others around.
e) Different backgrounds of different people can cause misunderstandings when using communication. However, they will be able to interpret the communication they’re using by using hand gestures, facial expressions or maybe body language.
f) The personality can also affect the way an individual communicates. For example, if a person is shy he/she may not want to speak clearly and may use a little bit of verbal communication. Confidence of a person can affect communication and this may result in them communicating by using facial expressions[13].
Also it is important to note that working in early years in a multi cultural society,is important to understand that people who do come from different backgrounds may have different ways of communicating and they may even interpret the way others communicate unexpectedly. For some people, English may not be their first language, this could mean that they only have a basic grasp on the English language, making communication between practitioner and a parent or child in this situation very difficult. In some circumstance, the parent/carer may have an interpreter with them communicating in this way, this is usually a family member. There are cultures and people with disorders who may interpret non-verbal communications as inappropriate or intrusive. Eye contact in some cultures, particularly Asian cultures, can be considered quite rude, whereas in most western countries if eye contact is not given it may appear as though that person is trying to hide something or is untrustworthy[14].
Barriers that may be there to effective communication.
Where you access extra support or services to enable individuals to communicate
Practitioners should learn to recognise when children have communication difficulties. This is important because the earlier a difficulty can be detected, the earlier a child can get specialist support that they need. Some children with minor or temporary difficulties progress quickly when they receive the appropriate help. Children may experience difficulties in speaking, hearing or understanding or they may lack a general interest in communicating. Hearing impairement can be present at birth or they may develop later on.
If you suspect that a child has a communication difficulty, you should tell the appropriate colleague or colleagues at your setting, in line with your setting policies and procedures. Depending on your own position, this could include the child’s key worker, your supervisor and the appointed SENCO(Special Education Needs Coordinator). The appropriate person should tell parents or carers about the concerns. It is likely that parents will raise the issue with a doctor or health visitor. The child may then be referred on to a specialist such as a speech Therapist of psychologist.
[1]M.Walker (2009),Children’s care, Learning and Development 2ndedition,NelsonThornes p8
[2] Walker (2009) p.402
[3]K.Bulman,L.Savory (2006), Children’s care Learning and Development,Heinemann p.109
[4] T. Bruce,C.Meggitt(2006) Chilcare and Education 4th edition Hodder p.279
[5] www.studymode.com/subjects/explain-how-communication-affects...
[6] M. Walker (2009),Children’s care, Learning and Development 2ndedition,NelsonThornes p.22
[7]www.studymode.com/subjects/explain-how-communication-affects...
[8] science.blurtit.com › Communication
[9] K .Bulman, Liz Savory(2006) children’s care, Learning and Development ,Heinmman p120
[10] M. Walker (2009),Children’s care, Learning and Development 2ndedition,NelsonThornes p.22
[12]www.studymode.com/subjects/explain-how-communication-affects...