Shc_3.1

1. Understand why effective communication is important in the work setting. 1.1. Identify the different reasons people communicate. People communicate in many different ways, for example, by telephone, by post, by email and, also, face to face. We communicate with others for many different reasons, on a daily basis. Whether it be to keep in touch with friends and family, to make or answer enquiries within the workplace, to ask questions or update teachers with regard to our children or simply let our partner know what we are planning for dinner. We also communicate by giving instructions. When doing so we need to make sure that we are confident in what we are saying, making our instructions concise and clear. This is especially important when dealing with children. When they know that you are confident in what you are saying they will feel safe in your company, happy to ask for help and share ideas and thoughts they may have on the activity taking place. While most communication will be in speech, we can also communicate by using body language. A simple smile can put people at ease. A thumbs up can let a child know that they are doing well. While positive body language is important when reacting to children, you need to be aware of negative body language. For children especially, they may not always want to tell you how they are feeling or even know how to put their feelings into words. For this reason, it is important to be aware of childrens usual behaviour, how they walk and talk and their facial expressions. They should feel comfortable in your company, to enable them to express their feelings, whether this be by smiling, crying, frowning or behaving in a different manner. Good communication with children will enable them to settle into unfamiliar surroundings quicker. This will allow them to open up to you, to tell you what play interests they have, what they like and dislike. This will enable you to get to know the child, to react to their different moods, whether happy or sad, and to build a strong and positive relationship with the child. As children may find it harder to communicate than adults it is important to make them aware that you are interested in what they have to say, that you are happy to listen to their thoughts and ideas and acknowledge that their opinions are important. Communicating well enables you to ask questions freely and openly and allows others to do the same. By answering honestly and to the best of your knowledge you will build good relationships with others and keep communication channels open. When dealing with children, it is important to encourage honesty, to show that you are reliable and trustworthy. To treat all comments made by them respectfully and to react to what they have to say in a positive manner. This will encourage them to communicate with you and others more openly and to feel confident in expressing themselves. 1.2. Explain how communication affects relationships in the work setting. In the work setting you may communicate with many different people, including your work colleagues, childrens parents and, of course, the children themselves. Good communication with your colleagues will make it easier for you to keep up-to-date on any issues regarding your workplace, the staff you work with or children you are supporting. It will also enable you to support your colleagues to the best of your ability and to ask for support, should you need it. By communicating well, answering questions as openly and honestly as possible, you will build strong relationships with colleagues, prove to others that you are trustworthy and reliable and maintain a healthy working environment. Good communication with parents will make it easier for them to approach you, to voice any concerns they may have and to ask questions about their childs development. As you are unlikely to see or communicate with parents on a daily basis, it is harder to build good relationships. To open the channels of communication, a simple "Good Morning" or "Have a nice evening", may go a long way. Showing that you are approachable will make it easier to build good relationships, to maintain good communication and to provide parents with an opening to raise any queries they may have in relation to their children. Good communication with children is important, not only for your own relationship with the child but also for the effect it may have on their relationships with others. Speaking to children in an honest and open manner will encourage them to do the same. Answering any concerns or questions they may have in a positive and confident manner will encourage them to approach you in the future, to feel open to communicate with you and to broach subjects which they may find difficult or which make them uncomfortable. As children, especially younger children, are still learning how to communicate it is important to show that you are willing to listen, that you are paying attention and taking an interest in what they have to say and that you will respond to any concerns or issues they may raise in an appropriate and responsible manner. Children must feel comfortable with your behaviour so that they can learn to mirror this and communicate confidently, openly and honestly.