Explain Why Effective Communication Is Important in Developing Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
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- Date Submitted: 06/25/2016 11:58 AM
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Explain why effective communication is important in developing relationships with children, young people and adults
Good communication underpins every successful relationship. People have an inherent need to feel listened to and valued, and need to know that their ideas and opinions matter and are respected. Communication can only be truly effective and positive if you make yourself approachable, available and listen attentively and politely without any distractions. Engaging the person you are trying to communicate with by using their name or establishing eye contact, for example, is important, and when communicating with a child, you should come down to their level so that you remove any height barriers and feelings that there is an unequal communication/power exchange between themselves and the adult.
You must listen to what is being said, whether the answer be right or wrong, so that as well as feeling valued and listened to, the student feels encouraged, secure, confident and empowered to participate in class activities. Making a child or young adult feel safe and cared for is a vital part of communication, because it builds trust. It is vital, however, that professional boundaries are maintained, and at all times they see you as their teacher and nothing more.
Communication is not just a verbal exchange between people though; our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and eye contact or lack of it are just as important in gauging how someone is feeling and what they are trying to say. With young people, for example, they may be too worried about what others may think of them and therefore may not be able to verbally communicate what they are trying to say, so non-verbal cues become essential. Similarly, if an adult has learning difficulties, they may not be able to verbally communicate either, and body language may be their only form of communication. It is important to note, however, that some adults with conditions such as Asperger’s, for...
Good communication underpins every successful relationship. People have an inherent need to feel listened to and valued, and need to know that their ideas and opinions matter and are respected. Communication can only be truly effective and positive if you make yourself approachable, available and listen attentively and politely without any distractions. Engaging the person you are trying to communicate with by using their name or establishing eye contact, for example, is important, and when communicating with a child, you should come down to their level so that you remove any height barriers and feelings that there is an unequal communication/power exchange between themselves and the adult.
You must listen to what is being said, whether the answer be right or wrong, so that as well as feeling valued and listened to, the student feels encouraged, secure, confident and empowered to participate in class activities. Making a child or young adult feel safe and cared for is a vital part of communication, because it builds trust. It is vital, however, that professional boundaries are maintained, and at all times they see you as their teacher and nothing more.
Communication is not just a verbal exchange between people though; our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and eye contact or lack of it are just as important in gauging how someone is feeling and what they are trying to say. With young people, for example, they may be too worried about what others may think of them and therefore may not be able to verbally communicate what they are trying to say, so non-verbal cues become essential. Similarly, if an adult has learning difficulties, they may not be able to verbally communicate either, and body language may be their only form of communication. It is important to note, however, that some adults with conditions such as Asperger’s, for...