Cultural Diversity and Communication

This week we have discussed communication and diversity. Included in this is how we as early childhood professionals communicate with others. This week we are to reflect on the ways we communicate with others.

As I reflected on my communication and reading of course materials I realized that I do communicate differently with people from different groups. I don't communicate with my mom the same way I do with my daughter. I also don't communicate with my preschool parents as I do my husband. With people who are closer to me such as my daughters and husband my communication is more relaxed whereas communication with my peers is more professional.

Three strategies that I believe I could use to help me communicate more effectively are:

1. I need to make sure I am more open-minded and open to others opinions

2. I need to make sure to treat others how I want to be treated. This includes when communicating think about how I am making others feel.

3. I need to work on not making assumptions or stereotypes

Communication Skills: Language, Nonverbal, Listening

This week we have discussed communication skills and its various styles. For this assignment we were told to record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the sound turned off and then on.

I chose the show Seinfeld. I've heard how funny it was and decided to watch an episode. I first watched with the sound off.

Based upon how the characters are communicating it seems they're gestures are portrayed it looks like they are all trying to get things out of each other. It seems they are trying to get each other to do things the other does not want to do. No one is laughing or smiling much so I'm not sure what type of comedy this is.

Much of the show it seems they are expressing confusion toward one another. It seems during conversation one persons face always shows signs of confusion while the other of explanation. The characters use great communication skills to emphasis their points. There are lots of hand gestures, head movements and various facial expressions.

Here is what I determined after watching with the show with the sound on...

I assumed that the plot was based on money or at least something more serious than the actual problem. In this episode the main female character was arguing with her boyfriend over his name, and the main character Seinfeld wanted his girlfriend to provide him with a massage. Now that the sound is on I can see the comedy in the show however you rarely see any of the characters laugh or smile.

I believe if I had been watching a show I was more familiar with I would have been able to guess just about everything that happened because I would be more familiar with the characters and how they communicate. I would have been able to watch their gestures, hand movements and facial expressions.

Communicating and Collaborating in the Early Childhood Field - Competent Communication

This new class is all about communication and I am super excited about what I'll be learning. Our first post assignment is about competent communication. We have to think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?

I have a friend who is a teacher and teaches preschoolers ages 2- 4. She is great at her job! I think a lot of that stems from the way she communicates with her small group. She is always sure to get down on their level, look them in their eyes and use a welcoming positive tone. When telling a story she is very animated for the children and when explaining directions she makes sure to calm her voice so they can understand and get the cue of how important it is to listen. When she speaks with adults she can turn off the preschool teacher switch and turn on the regular speaking adult switch just like that! I love the way it seems that her students are so responsive to her voice and pay such close attention to her cues and tone. I am also a preschool teacher and have used many of her techniques to communicate with my class with great success. These techniques seem to help the day progress more smoothly with the students.