Unit SHC 21 Introduction to communication in children

Unit SHC 21 Introduction to communication in children and young people’s settings Miss Shepping

SHC 21 Introduction to communication in children and young people’s settings 3 credits This unit is all about: • The importance of effective communication in the work setting • Methods of communication and the language needs, wishes and preferences of an individual • How to reduce barriers to communication • Confidentiality.

Learning Outcomes Today we are going to be learning about why communication is important in the workplace • ALL will know at least one reason why individuals communicate • MOST will be able to explain how effective communcation affects all aspects of work • SOME will be able to understand the importance of non verbal communication

The Big Picture Know The content of Unit 1, ‘Intro to communication’ Why people communicate? Understand The effect that effective communication can have in the work setting Have reflected upon or developed How it is important to observe an individual’s reactions when communicating with them

Connector • • Work with a partner Working in a children and young people’s setting, who are all the other people you need to communicate with?

Who does the practitioner communicate with in the work setting? In the work setting, it is necessary to communicate with a range of people. parents, families and carers colleagues and managers Who does the practitioner communicate with? children and young people other professionals, e. g. social Workers, GPs etc There are one-to-one interactions with a child, young person, parent etc. and group interactions, e. g. group activities, case conferences and staff meetings.

Research • What is communication? • Why is it important? Why do we need to communicate in the workplace and particularly in a workplace looking after children? • Research in your groups and feedback to the class

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To promote relationships and offer support Fill in your worksheet!

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To maintain relationships

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To exchange information

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To develop learning

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To negotiate and liaise with others

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings • To express needs and feelings

Reasons for Communicating in Work Settings 1. 1 • • • The main reasons why people communicate in work settings are: to exchange information Can you to express needs and feelings think of to promote relationships and Some more examples offer support of these? to maintain relationships to negotiate and liaise with others. You will be expected to show that you can identify why people communicate for Learning Outcome 1.

Communication methods Effective communication involves: *listening *responding *questioning *understanding Communication is not just the spoken or written word. It is also: • facial expressions • body language (posture, actions and gestures) • tone of voice • pauses • taking turns in talking and listening.

How effective communication affects all aspects of work in the work setting • • Children and young people will learn to trust and respect the practitioner if they communicate effectively with them. A better relationship with colleagues, parents and other adults will be developed if the practitioner has effective communication skills. Effective communication skills • • • Warmth Showing interest in the individual. Listening carefully and actively. Showing sincerity and conveying the positive value of others. Using appropriate body language. Conveying warmth and understanding. Establishing boundaries. Reflecting on own practice. Understanding 1. 2 For each of the skills opposite, think of examples of the times when you have seen an effective use of these skills. 1. 3 Are these skills something you already have or can you learn the skills that will improve your ability to communicate with others?

The importance of effective communication Why is effective communication in the workplace necessary? • • • with whom? building positive relationships maintaining good relationships with whom? exchanging information what types of information? negotiating and liaising with whom? the expression of feelings and needs. what feelings? what needs? TASK: CASE STUDY, TEXTBOOKS, PAGE 4

Active Listening • Work in pairs and discuss what we mean by active listening • Brainstorm and be ready to feedback to the group You have 2 minutes to do this

Active Listening 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Look interested and ready to listen Eye contact Hearing what is said Remembering what is said Checking understanding with the other person Posture

Active Listening Task Active listening exercise in pairs In turn, each partner will talk for a minute or two while the other person listens, without saying anything. At first, the listener is to be as attentive as possible. After 2 minutes, the listener is to listen less well Do the exercise twice, with partners exchanging roles Feedback to the class

Activity 1 http: //uk. youtube. com/watch? v=Wx. B 1 g. B 6 K-2 A What kinds of communication can you see in this clip? • FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEETS!

Non Verbal Communication at Work http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=a. JVbu 78 r. Ef. U&f eature=related

Non Verbal Communication Body language and facial expressions tell us a lot! Body language includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body posture, positioning within groups

Observing the reactions of others (1) 1. 3 The person working with children must be able to observe and to interpret the reactions of children, young people, parents and other adults. A practitioner needs to be aware that: • facial expressions and gestures can have different meanings in different cultures. • non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication (sometimes more so) • How much of our communication is conveyed in non verbal ways? • 70%

Observing the reactions of others (1) 1. 3 Pictures of babies and children: What do each of the pictures say? Can you tell how the children are feeling? Report back to the class. 2 minutes

Gestures

Do you Speak English? What is getting in the way of the communication? http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=fij. BUeqi. W 0 g FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEET!

Observing the Reactions of Others (2) • Why are facial expressions, body language and gestures different in different cultures? • Discuss in pairs for 2 minutes and write your answers on paper to put in your files

Observing the reactions of others (3) • In some Western cultures, avoiding eye contact can be a sign of someone not agreeing with the other person. In other cultures, it is seen as showing respect. Sometimes, others may regard you more intensely, because they are having difficulties understanding you or because they don’t want to show their feelings.

Observing the reactions of others (3) • Body posture can indicate an individual’s true feelings. DISCUSSION What might arms folded tightly over chest indicate? What might sitting with shoulders back in relaxed posture indicate?

Review Games to test your communication skills Everyone to get into date order of their birthday At one end, the youngest and at the other end, the Oldest Use Non Verbal Communication ONE rule: no one allowed to speak Get into groups of 4 or 5 with paper. One person from each group will come up to the front and be given an object or person they have to draw. They are not allowed to speak The rest of the group has to guess what they are drawing When the group have guessed correctly, a new person comes to the front

Activity In groups of 4, research 2 types of non verbal communication on the internet and using your textbooks Create a poster for childcare professionals describing: a) What these can communicate b) Why this is important in their jobs

Observing Individual’s Reactions • In groups of 3, a 3 minute role play • Person A is nursery nurse. Person B is the parent, Person C is the observer • A talks to B about the progress of their child • They aren’t doing well at nursery and their behaviour is poor • Observer: Make notes on the facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and body posture of Persons A and B. What does it show? • Swop roles • What did you notice about the body language of Person A and B?

How should you communicate? • The way we communicate with others should take account of each individual’s needs, wishes and preferences. • A practitioner needs to be able to: § listen empathetically § give support at the appropriate time § give confidence to those who feel that what they are saying is not valued. Textbook- guidelines for communicating well with parents and carers Role plays to act out

Communicating with parents and carers (1) • An appropriate time for discussion needs to be set. • Parents and carers often need to talk as well as listen – a practitioner needs to develop listening skills. A practitioner should: üspeak quietly and calmly üshow that they are listening ünever gossip.

Communicating with parents and carers (2) During a discussion, it is important for the practitioner: • to maintain eye contact (if appropriate to do so) to show that full attention is being given • be aware of the effects of body language • not to interrupt, instead, nod and smile every now and then, to sum up the points made • to say if they don’t know the answer to a question, but agree to find out later • to remember any cultural differences, e. g. touching and certain gestures • to be aware of any difficulties, e. g. a different language, hearing impairment, disability.

Written Assignment • 1. 2. 3. Task 1 (LO 1. 1, 1. 2, 1. 3). The Importance of Effective Communication Effective communication is vital when working with children and young people. As part of your induction as a new staff member, you have been asked to answer the following (100 words for each question), to present to your Line Manager: What are the different reasons people communicate in the work setting? List at least 6 reasons, with examples for each When you work with children and young people, what are the advantages of good communication? When we communicate, it is not just the words spoken that are important. 3 a) What are the different ways that people communicate? 3 b) Can you explain why it is important to watch a person’s face and how they react, when you talk to them?

Review Traffic Lights – What have I learnt? • I need extra help with: • I am comfortable with : • I am competent at : What is something new that I learnt today?