Effective Communication With Children

Communication is constantly happening within the day care centre and in my job role I have a responsibility to communicate with staff, service users and other professionals. I use various forms of communication but I also seek to make sure that it is understood. Communication has got to be understood before it can be effective and so I try to ensure comprehension when I am verbally speaking by getting staff to repeat what I have asked them to do. I also write simply worded memos and emails to ensure ease of comprehension. When communicating with other professionals I speak clearly and seek affirmation when organising meetings or planning events. I also

Unit 3.3.1 – How communication with children and young people differs across different age ranges and stages of development

By observing us children learn how to interact with others, accomplish goals, and get along in the world. We are the examples, and what many do not realize is that our non-verbal messages and actions are stronger than our verbal ones. Non-verbal communication consists of expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, and actions.  The way you listen, look, move, and react tells the other person whether or not you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, they generate tension, mistrust, and confusion. There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.

Non-verbal communication is very important and is often more important than verbal communication. This consists of eye contact, hand and body language and facial expressions.

Adapting communication based on your audience is very important to ensure that your message is fully understood. Therefore, you must change how you communicate with different people and in different situations.

Children communicate through a variety of ways this could be information or feelings using signals, speech, body language, facial expressions or by the written word. For example at my school we communicate by writing in the home school book, or phoning parents or verbally talking to them. In my setting we have may have some children that are non-verbal and they can communicate in a variety of different ways, one of the main ways is through PECS known as Picture Exchange Communication System, they can also communicate through facial expressions or body language and even Makaton

Non verbal communication is also just as important as verbal communication. Again, using the child with confidence and relationship issues,

We have to adapt different ways of communication with children and young people. Children of different ages will have various levels of attention and requirements to that of an older child.

Communications with children or a young person will be different depending on their age, you would not speak to a 4 year old in the same way as say an 11 year old, for example. You need to adjust your choice of words and expressions so a young child child can understand what is being said to them. Younger children who have just started school or children who are new to the school will most probably need lots more reassurance so we must ensure we are always approachable and aware of these children to help them settle happily in to their new environment. It may be that they wish to hold our hand at playtime or stay close to feel secure in their new environment but these small exchanges will hopefully encourage a trusting relationship between

Explain why effective communication is important in developing positive relationships with children, young people and adults.

Age of child or young person: You need to be adaptable in the way you communicate when working with children and young adults. A young child will need clear and sometimes lengthy instructions on how to do something. Whereas older children and young adults tend to grasp things quicker and you can explain things in a more mature fashion. Some younger children like to have physical contact as well, especially if they feel lonely or scared i.e. when they are upset and trying to explain to you what is wrong, an arm around them or holding their hand will give them reassurance. Children of all ages need to feel secure and feel valued in any environment and how you communicate with them should

When communicating with children, it is important to talk at their level while maintaining eye contact and use positive body language. We must give them time to understand and absorb what is being said to them. This will make the children feel respected and develop trust and thus they will feel confident to communicate with us. The child’s learning and development will benefit if the adults in their life can communicate effectively about them.

When communicating with children and young people a number of skills are necessary. These skills are inbuilt and we use them naturally without realising. Children learn to communicate through the responses and reactions of others.

Explain how positive changes to the communication environment can support communication development for children and young people with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Talking and listening are essential life skills. The ability to talk in order to communicate and exchange ideas and information, to negotiate with others, to express feelings and emotions, allows human beings to function well in the world and to be full and active members of society. Communication, to be effective, requires the ability to listen, to understand and to make sense of what is heard. On the personal level, when we listen, we give attention to the other person in such a way as to allow them to feel heard, understood and therefore respected. In that way, listening is more than