Communicating is an important part of every day life and can help to build relationships. On the other hand, it can also be a factor in destroying and hindering relationships. As early childhood educators it is essential that we understand and acknowledge diversity and the way it affects communication. I have learned throughout this course that communication involves verbal, nonverbal, AND listening!!
When considering culture in your interactions with others, it is important to understand how different groups and culture react to various communication patterns. It is important to communicate in a way that is comfortable and inviting to others when dealing with children and families of different backgrounds. You definitely do not want to offend someone by being ignorant of their beliefs, values, and methods of communication. I have taken this into consideration when dealing with multicultural groups of people and it has changed the way I view communication and its relation to culture.
Three strategies that could help me be more effective with the people or groups I am communicating are:
1. Always be mindful of cultural practices. Take time to understand and learn about various cultural practices, verbal and nonverbal, and their significance to emotion.
2. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions to learn more about others. This will help to build a strong bond between ourselves and those we work with, whether colleagues, students, or families.
3. Assess your nonverbal cues and listening skills as they are often overshadows by verbal communication techniques. Be aware and collaborate with colleagues so that you gain an outside perspective and are truly aware of your behaviors.
I enjoyed reading your strategies on effective communication. I like how you combined the acknowledgment of nonverbal cues with collaborating with your peers in order to gain an outside perspective. I had not thought of inviting others to assess particular interactions, but it sounds like it could be very helpful. I also feel that it may be very interesting to share stories with others concerning their experiences, especially if they revolve around a particular case. The differences in styles from person to person could provide helpful information for building and strengthening relationships.
ReplyDelete