Effective Communication Practices to Build Collaborative Partnerships: Learning and Teaching About Them May 18, :45-10:00 Project CONNECT Aubrey Comperatore

Welcome  Please be sure to pick up the handouts provided

Communication for Collaboration: Objectives  To learn effective communication strategies  To experience the 5-step decision making process as in-service development  To provide you with evidence-based resources for professional development  To brainstorm ways in which you can use and teach communication strategies in other settings

Professional Development?  Using a sticky note, jot down a few words that describe what your impression is of a typical professional development session. What is usually included? How is it typically presented? Do they motivate, bore, interest, excite….?  On a separate sticky note, what do you wish professional development could be like? What topics would you like to see covered? What techniques would be used to present them? How do you want you and your staff to feel after participating?

What is Project CONNECT?

What is Evidence-Based Practice?  Evidence-based practice is “a decision- making process that integrates the best available research evidence with family and professional wisdom and values” or a combination of science and experience.  FPG Snapshot, #33, September 2006

Discussion 1

Discuss:  Why is communication important when working in early childhood inclusive settings?  What are some hurdles you have encountered when communicating with other professionals? With families?

Step 1: Dilemma

Shawanda: Teacher’s Point of View

Ashley: Specialist’s Point of View

Step 2: Question

PICO P PERSON (who will participate in the intervention) I Interventions or practice(s) being considered C Comparision to other intervetions (if there is research that compares two or more interventions) O Outcomes desired Responses Early childhood professionals Communication practices N/A Promoting collaboration with other professionals and families

Step 3: Evidence

The policy and the research say…

Effective Communication Strategies  Definition of Effective Communication  “Effective communication with professionals and families consists of specific communication strategies that can be organized into the following three categories: (1) attending and active listening; (2) seeking and verifying; (3) and joining and supporting. These communication strategies are used throughout the process of building trusting partnerships. Creating a partnership generally involves getting to know the other person and establishing trust, gaining an understanding of another’s priorities and needs, and reaching consensus on how best to work together.”

Communication Strategies: Carousel Walk  With your group, read the characteristics of your specific strategy.  1) Attending and active listening  2) Seeking and verifying  3) Joining and supporting On your group’s chart paper, try to define and illustrate the key points for your strategy. You may use words, drawings, or symbols, Choose one member of your group as the spokesperson to share.

Step 4: Decision

Step 5: Evaluation

Discussion 2

Discuss:  How can you envision using these communication strategies in your workplace?  How could you use these strategies in other areas? With families? In your personal life?

Role-Playing Extension

Brainstorm  With your group, how can you use the Project CONNECT resource to enhance your workplace?

For more information…  nect-modules  Dr. Pam Winton:  Aubrey Comperatore: