HPC3O: COMMUNICATION

What is happening? A young child points to a bowl of grapes and says, “dapes” An eight-month-old girl sitting in her high chair stares at the toy train on the floor and then stares at her father While standing in line at a grocery store check-out, you suddenly hear a woman screaming at a child in a nearby line You awake to hear your five-month-old baby babbling in the next bedroom An early years center teacher is reading to a young child. She asks the child questions about the story that they are reading

Communication is… An exchange of information: verbally, non-verbally, or with both verbal and non-verbal symbols and signals. Verbal Non-Verbal

Communication is… Either: One way: one person sends out a message, but receives no response. e.g. lectures, radio broadcast, message on answering machine. OR Two way: message is send and response is given. The tone of the communication is very important: particularly when children are learning appropriate listening skills and feedback styles.

Mixed Messages A child can receive mixed messages if verbal and non-verbal forms of communication do not match. i.e. VERBAL NON-VERBAL - “Congratulations!” -Sad look - “Go to your room!” -Smiling - “Everything’s fine…” -Anxious look

Mixed Message In groups, create a skit that demonstrates the concept of “mixed messages” and the importance of good communication. Groups should be made up of 3-4 people You will present your skit to the class twice. The first time, your verbal and non-verbal message should match. The second time, they should not. Example topics / scenes (each group should be different): -a birthday party, -a graduation ceremony, -a “break-up” -a baby being born -Disciplining a child for putting makeup all over their face

Passive involves the inability or unwillingness to express thoughts and feelings make up an excuse rather than say how you feel

Assertive involves standing up for oneself while remaining calm and respectful assertive people: match body language to tone use short clear messages are honest use “I – messages”

Aggressive involves overreaction, blaming and criticizing Try to get their way though intimidation and being loud Have a hard time considering the rights of others Sometimes attack a person’s character instead of addressing a specific issue

Passive-Aggressive This style uses passive communication that is really acting out anger in an indirect, or behind-the-scenes way Passive-Aggressive communicators will often: mutter to themselves rather than assertively confront the issue use facial expressions that don't match how they feel deny there is a problem appear cooperative while purposely doing things to annoy and disrupt use subtle sabotage to get even - passive-aggressive people may act in these ways: Act sad or sullen even though they say they are OK Perform a task poorly to show that they don’t like the task or they think you should do it “Forget” things on purpose Allow you to make a mistake and then tell you that they know it was wrong all along