Shc_31

TASK ONE : SHC 31 Promote communication in children’s and young persons setting Introduction Working with Children, young person’s and their families requires many different levels and types of communication and with many types of people from the small child to the parents to the professionals. Good communication skills will help you become a good practitioner and a good communicator within all situations regardless of age and should always take into account each person’s individual needs wishes and preferences. Reasons why we communicate We all have many reasons why we communicate, in a work setting its is paramount that we all communicate effectively to form good relationships within and out of our setting. To PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS with in our setting, when a new child, parent or family enter our setting the first smile, wave will make them feel at ease and is the start of a new relationship, maintaining it will be keeping in regular contact and letting families know about the day their child has had and also having a quick chat on drop offs and pick ups about what has been going on. birthdays, visit to the zoo for example (I use a 2 way communication book). This is my way of SHARING AND GAINING INFORMATION another form of communication. Many of my parents are very busy and I use a 2 way communication book a written form of communication, I find this is a good way of parents informing me of events, anything that might effect the child in the day (injections!), bad nights sleep night before, off food' For example.. and visa versa it’s a way of me letting parents know about what their child or young person has done in the day for example , meals eaten, milk drunk, sleep, outing. Information may be shared with us form professionals from schools, health visitors or other professionals which is paramount to the child or young persons care. Confidentiality should be key to sharing information. One of the most important reasons we communicate is to SHOW AND EXPRESS OUR NEEDS AND FEELINGS, Children, young person’s and our work collagues should always be given opportunites and the tools to be able to express and show their feelings, words may not always flow out but actions (anger, tears, smiles, quietness, maybe a sign) I use flash cards for some of my children as a starting point. As adults we must acknowledge and meet their needs. NEGOTIATEING, SHARING IDEAS, LIAISEING, with each other is very important to be effective and professional, we all come from different backgrounds and have different ideas, experiences and knowledge. By talking having meetings to discuss events, topics, children, planning will make us good practioneers and keep our setting fresh with new ideas. How we meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals. Communication is and should always be a 2 way process and people should take into account each persons, needs, wishes, language skills and preferences, someone may require an interpreter or signer or maybe in a simple and slower manner. Many factors should be considered to help achieve all theses aims and everyone’s individual needs. With ADULTS we can often talk directly, its is also important to establish the level of formality required depending on the situation. First names to be used or to be more formal and weather the situation requires an appointment to be made if the situation requires it. With CHILDREN communication will be very much dependant on age and ability to listen, comprehend, and talk children who do not make eye contact or enjoy being with others may require more attention to help them communicate. Facial expression, gestures, pointing at things, flash cards for moods, maybe baby sign, and in small babies crying can often be a great indicator of pain, tiredness and hunger. Having empathy and being sympathetic to each persons needs is a great tool to have this will help you to listen with sympathy and understanding and give support. It will also help you encourage others who lack confidence. The environment can influence communication and some times people’s ability to talk freely. A busy and noisy room may make it difficult for someone to communicate effectively, they may feel intimidated by other people being around it may not feel private. For parents and young children a nice quite cosy corner may make them feel more at home and relaxed. Personal space is very important as some people feel threatened if someone is too close which can result in poor communication and threatening behaviour. Take note if someone moves back from you or turns away. Posture and body language gives off different signals, face to face can be quite confrontational but slightly side on more cosy and personal and which means you can break eye contact easily and allows the communicating to be less direct. Sitting down can give off signal as being board and too relaxed ‘not listening!’ by sitting back and being to relaxed, where as if sit more forward you look attentive and open to the communication. Communication methods and styles NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION Non verbal communication is a term used for any type of communication that dosn’t require speech. It can be a very powerful and constructive and important form of communication and can often be more effective if done correctly and in a positive manner. Eye contact is a powerful tool when communicating with someone young and old, its is often said we can tell a story with our eyes. When communicating with people its important not to stare or be to intence as this can seem to be threatening. Eye contact has 5 important functions it determines the flow of conversation, it controls the level of intimacy in the conversation, it can give feed back to the person talking, you can express emotions. People who feel that if people don’t keep some level of eye contact are board or not listening to them. Good eye contact with your children and parents will show good empathy and express sincerity and show that you are listening. It must also be noted that in some cultures, eye contact is deemed disrespectful and eye contact should be adjusted accordingly. Facial expression is a strong way of communicating, that first smile shows you are welcoming and open to them, raised eye brows to a small child could mean..’ oh what’s happening' Umm' Often a kind of warning!’ my own sons’ and daughter say when I raise my eye brows they know that look !!! Small children will often use many different types of facial expressions to let you know how they feel, or just when telling you something their vocabulary may not be wide enough so they can express the story though their facial expressions. With adults showing good facial expressions show you are interested and open to the conversation. People who smile are more likely to find people warm to them and want to be in their company. Sad and grumpy expressions may bring others down in their mood as well. Body Language, Gestures and Posture (open and closed), is an important form of communication it can often show people as being nervous, anxious, excited and relaxed. An open posture (sitting upright legs slightly apart) will show openess and encourage communication where as a closed position (sitting back in chair legs and arms folded ) shows a barrier. Body movements and gestures are often mirrored by two people talking to each other this shows attentiveness and empathy. Many hand gestures such such as thumbs up , thumb to finger = ok sign or spot on in the uk but other contries it can mean the opposite !. Touch and physical contact is one of the most important and soothing forms of communication, a random hand to someone’s arm if they are sad shows you are there, a child holding your hand can show many different meanings, that they are happy and comfortable happily walking along, but at the same time that they are anxious and need support and reassurance. Everyone is different when it comes to the amount of physical contact they give and like to receive and feel comfortable with, this can be personal, family lifestyle, religion and cultural. With small children physical contact can be very comforting and but should only be offered not forced upon. Touch and physical contact is something we natuarly associate with comfort if we are hurt, upset, happy or sad. Touch and physical contact must also be considered in relation to child protection and always be appropriate. Verbal Communication Verbal communication is our main type of comunication , the way we talk to each other will determine how we are perceived and how we are understood. Some people may not have English as their first language so its important to take this into account and possibly talk slower, with young children and babies getting down to their level and having good eye contact will help with their verbal skills and help with good communication. The tone and pitch of our voice is important , if we talk loudly it may mean we are angry or just want to be herd, quietly to a baby and children even when there is a lot of noise can be just as effective as being loud. Along side this is being an effective communicator involves knowing how to listen and how to respond to others. Active listening… maintain eye contact, open posture will show you are listening and you are giving your undivided attention. The use of open ended questions will lead to a conversation rather than one word answers. BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION Good communication is not always easy with adults, young persons, or children, there can be many different reasons why barriers are apparent, as a good communicator you must look to over come theses barriers. A key point to remember when thinking about effective communication, is that some people’s experiences may be very different from yours ; Their CULTURE AND FAMILY BACK GROUND, EDUCATION, RELIGION, PERSONALITY, CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM LITERACY, KNOWLEDGE, SECOND LANGUAGE, ATTITUDES, DISTRACTIONS,PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, DISABILITY AND SPEECH IMPARMENTS, theses are all factors. This means that you must not take for granted that your view point is right or wrong. OVERCOMMING BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION There are many ways to over come the many barriers in communication, make sure you allow TIME when communicating with other , don’t rush the conversation which could result in misunderstandings or inaqurate information and assumptions, which in turn can lead to problems. Put the other person at ease adapting the environment making sure its apropiate place to hold the conversation, speak clearly and have good eye contact. Simplyfiy the language used may be required for smaller children or others to whom English is not their first language. Visual aids and flash cards can help. EXTRA SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO ENABLE YOU TO BE AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR. Sometimes it may be necessary to use outside services to help with communications with in your setting. Specialist teachers whom can help with second language is English and additional speech needs. Translators, Speech and Language Therapists, Sign Language (makaton). WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Written communcaiotn is very important as it’s an easy way to go back and check what has been said or done. Communication books between parents and carers/childminders are great as oftern time is short when dropping off and collecting children. Records for accidents and incidents. Observation books for all the children. CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality is paramount whether the information is spoke or written down, its about respecting everyone’s rights to privacy and keeping information safe and secure. The data protection act 1998 states that information should be; Adequate, relevant and not excessive Processed for limited purposes Fairly and lawfully processed Secure Not transferred to countries that do not have adequate protection Accurate Not kept longer than necessary Processed with the persons rights.