HPC3O: COMMUNICATION

1. HPC3O:COMMUNICATION

2. What is happening? • A young child points to a bowl of grapes and says, “dapes” • An eight-month-old girl sitting in her high chair stares at the toy train on the floor and then stares at her father • While standing in line at a grocery store check-out, you suddenly hear a woman screaming at a child in a nearby line • You awake to hear your five-month-old baby babbling in the next bedroom • An early years center teacher is reading to a young child. She asks the child questions about the story that they are reading

3. Communication is… • An exchange of information: verbally, non-verbally, or with both verbal and non-verbal symbols and signals. Verbal Non-Verbal

4. Communication is… Either: One way: one person sends out a message, but receives no response. e.g. lectures, radio broadcast, message on answering machine. OR Two way: message is send and response is given. The tone of the communication is very important: particularly when children are learning appropriate listening skills and feedback styles.

5. Mixed Messages • A child can receive mixed messages if verbal and non-verbal forms of communication do not match. • i.e. VERBAL NON-VERBAL - “Congratulations!” -Sad look - “Go to your room!” -Smiling - “Everything’s fine…” -Anxious look

6. Mixed Message • In groups, create a skit that demonstrates the concept of “mixed messages” and the importance of good communication. • Groups should be made up of 3-4 people • You will present your skit to the class twice. The first time, your verbal and non-verbal message should match. The second time, they should not. • Example topics / scenes (each group should be different): -a birthday party, -a graduation ceremony, -a “break-up” -a baby being born -Disciplining a child for putting makeup all over their face

7. Passive • involves the inability or unwillingness to express thoughts and feelings • make up an excuse rather than say how you feel

8. Assertive • involves standing up for oneself while remaining calm and respectful • assertive people: • match body language to tone • use short clear messages • are honest • use “I – messages”

9. Aggressive • involves overreaction, blaming and criticizing • Try to get their way though intimidation and being loud • Have a hard time considering the rights of others • Sometimes attack a person’s character instead of addressing a specific issue

10. Passive-Aggressive • This style uses passive communication that is really acting out anger in an indirect, or behind-the-scenes way • Passive-Aggressive communicators will often: • mutter to themselves rather than assertively confront the issue • use facial expressions that don't match how they feel • deny there is a problem • appear cooperative while purposely doing things to annoy and disrupt • use subtle sabotage to get even • - passive-aggressive people may act in these ways: • Act sad or sullen even though they say they are OK • Perform a task poorly to show that they don’t like the task or they think you should do it • “Forget” things on purpose • Allow you to make a mistake and then tell you that they know it was wrong all along