Explain_Why_Effective_Communication_Is_Important_in_Developing_Positive_Relationships_with_Children,_Young_People_and_Adults.

TDA 3.1 1.1 Explain why effective communication is important in developing positive relationships with children, young people and adults. When working within a school you communicate with not only the children you work with but everybody around you. This could be the staff you are working with and the parents or carers of the children in your school. You should always hold a professional relationship between yourself and the children, staff or parents. When doing so you will have a certain way to communicate with each individual. It is important for a child to feel like they have a belonging at school and are valued as an individual by the adults around them. When developing relationships with children, it is always good to be positive, professional, not too distant but not ‘inappropriate’. You should be able to provide for the children’s physical and intellectual needs however, you should also be available for supporting them with any emotional needs they may have. Personal friendships between yourself and the child or the parents are best to be avoided at all times as this can cause complications within your professional role. Some ways in which you could build a positive relationship with a child is something as simple as remembering their name correctly; being approachable and listening to what the child is telling you, giving each individual child your time, avoid holding stereotypical views, show the children you care and of course, see it from their point of view. When talking to a child it is important to use the right type of language appropriate to their age, individual needs or abilities. You should be clear with what you are saying to the child and avoid jargon, remember to speak to the child using words and phrases they will understand. Always assure a child that you are listening to them by responding positively, asking questions and also answering them to prompt the child to appropriate responses. Some individual children may need specific ways to communicate effectively visual or hearing impairment therefore different methods of communicating would be adapted to the child’s needs such as sign language, PECS or brail etc. When communicating it is common that misunderstandings occur due to people not listening attentively. It is always important to be a good listener when communicating with anybody. This is not the only skill needed when communicating effectively with others around you, other skills may include: • Being available to make time for the person, whether this is a child or an adult. • Good use of non-verbal skills such as facing the person, smiling, nodding and good use of hand gestures. • Being polite. • Encouraging others to talk by asking questions. • Being sympathetic and empathetic • Providing opportunities. Asking and answering questions are important when communicating with children as it can be a good way to help develop their communicating skills for the present and future. ‘Closed’ questions are questions in which are only answered with one word such as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If possible try to avoid using this type of question as it is better to use an ‘Open’ question when communicating as this allows the child a more detailed response with room to express personal experiences, feelings and ideas. It is important that not only are you able to ask children questions but to also answer theirs so that they reach the capability of knowing from their own conclusions why and how things happen in the world around them. Always react seriously to the child’s questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability, accurately and truthfully. Depending on the age and level of development of the child you may be able to encourage the child to find the answer to the question themselves e.g. looking in a dictionary. On the other hand, you won’t only be communicating with children within the school environment. You will be communicating with adults too; whether these will be the staff within your work place or parents/carers of the children. When communicating with adults you should be using language that everybody will understand which means avoiding the use of jargon unless you otherwise know the person you are communicating with will understand the meaning. If you are asked of any information you aren’t knowledgeable of, refer the adult to the appropriate person. When communicating with parents only give information which is under your responsibility within your role and when doing so make sure the information you are providing the parent with is accurate, up to date and relevant. Remember that confidentiality is essential regards to information when working within this environment.