Unit SHC 21Introduction to

communication in children and young people’s settings

Miss Shepping

SHC 21Introduction to communication in

children and young people’s settings

This unit is all about:• The importance of effective

communication in the work setting

• Methods of communication and the language needs, wishes and preferences of an individual

• How to reduce barriers to communication

• Confidentiality.

3 credits

Learning Outcomes

Today we are going to be learning about why communication is important in the workplace

• ALL will know at least one reason why individuals communicate

• MOST will be able to explain how effective communcation affects all aspects of work

• SOME will be able to understand the importance of non verbal communication

The Big Picture

Know

The content of Unit 1, ‘Intro to communication’

Why people communicate?

Understand

The effect that effective communication can have in the work setting

Have reflected upon or developed

How it is important to observe an individual’s reactions when communicating with them

Connector

• Work with a partner• Working in a children and young people’s setting, who are

all the other people you need to communicate with?

Who does the practitioner communicate with in the work setting?

In the work setting, it is necessary to communicate with a range of people.

Who does the practitionercommunicate

with?

childrenand youngpeople

parents,familiesandcarers

otherprofessionals,e.g.socialWorkers, GPs etc

colleaguesandmanagers

There are one-to-one interactions with a child, young person, parent etc. and group interactions, e.g. group activities, case conferences and staff meetings.

Research

• What is communication?

• Why is it important? Why do we need to communicate in the workplace and particularly in a workplace looking after children?

• Research in your groups and feedback to the class

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To promote relationships and offer support

Fill in your worksheet!

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To maintain relationships

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To exchange information

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To develop learning

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To negotiate and liaise with others

Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings

• To express needs and feelings

Reasons for Communicating in Work Settings

1.1

The main reasons why people communicate in work settings are:

• to exchange information• to express needs and feelings• to promote relationships and

offer support• to maintain relationships• to negotiate and liaise with others.

Can youthink of

Some more examplesof these?

You will be expected to show that you can identify why people communicate for Learning Outcome 1.

Communication methods

*listening

*questioning

*understanding

*responding

Communication is not just the spoken or written word.It is also:• facial expressions• body language (posture, actions and gestures)• tone of voice• pauses• taking turns in talking and listening.

Effective communication involves:

How effective communication affects all aspects of work in the work setting

• Children and young people will learn to trust and respect the practitioner if they communicate effectively with them.

• A better relationship with colleagues, parents and other adults will be developed if the practitioner has effective communication skills.

Effective communication skills

• Warmth• Showing interest in the individual.• Listening carefully and actively.• Showing sincerity and conveying the positive value of others.• Using appropriate body language.• Conveying warmth and understanding.• Establishing boundaries.• Reflecting on own practice.• Understanding

1.2 For each of the skills opposite, think of examplesof the times when you have seen an effective use of these skills.

1.3 Are these skills something you already have or can you learn the skills that will improve your ability to communicate with others?

The importance of effective communication

Why is effective communication in the workplace necessary?

• building positive relationships• maintaining good relationships• exchanging information• negotiating and liaising• the expression of feelings and needs.

TASK: CASE STUDY, TEXTBOOKS, PAGE 4

with whom?

with whom?

what types of information?

with whom?

what feelings?what needs?

Active Listening

• Work in pairs and discuss what we mean by

active listening• Brainstorm and be ready to feedback to the

group

You have 2 minutes to do this

Active Listening

1. Look interested and ready to listen

2. Eye contact

3. Hearing what is said

4. Remembering what is said

5. Checking understanding with the other person

6. Posture

Active Listening

TaskActive listening exercise in pairs

In turn, each partner will talk for a minute or two

while the other person listens, without saying

anything. At first, the listener is to be as attentive

as possible. After 2 minutes, the listener is to

listen less well

Do the exercise twice, with partners exchanging roles

Feedback to the class

Activity 1

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WxB1gB6K-2A

What kinds of communication can you see in this clip?

• FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEETS!

Non Verbal Communication at Work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJVbu78rEfU&feature=related

Non Verbal Communication

Body language and facial expressions tell us a lot! Body language includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body posture, positioning within groups

Observing the reactions of others (1) 1.3

The person working with children must be able to observe and to interpret the reactions of children, young people, parents and other adults. A practitioner needs to be aware that:

• facial expressions and gestures can have different meanings in different cultures.

• non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication (sometimes more so)

• How much of our communication is conveyed in non verbal ways?

• 70%

Observing the reactions of others (1) 1.3

Pictures of babies and children:What do each of the picturessay? Can you tell how thechildren are feeling? Report backto the class. 2 minutes

Gestures

Do you Speak English?

What is getting in the way of the communication?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fijBUeqiW0g

FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEET!

Observing the Reactions of Others (2)

• Why are facial expressions, body language and gestures different in different cultures?

• Discuss in pairs for 2 minutes and write your answers on paper to put in your files

Observing the reactions of others (3)

• In some Western cultures, avoiding eye contact can be a sign of someone not agreeing with the other person. In other cultures, it is seen as showing respect. Sometimes, others may regard you more intensely, because they are having difficulties understanding you or because they don’t want to show their feelings.

Observing the reactions of others (3)

• Body posture can indicate an individual’s true feelings.

DISCUSSIONWhat might arms folded tightly over chest indicate?What might sitting with shoulders back in relaxed posture indicate?

Review

Games to test your communication skillsEveryone to get into date order of their birthday

At one end, the youngest and at the other end, the

Oldest

Use Non Verbal Communication

ONE rule: no one allowed to speak

Get into groups of 4 or 5 with paper. One person

from each group will come up to the front and be

given an object or person they have to draw. They

are not allowed to speak

The rest of the group has to guess what they are drawing

When the group have guessed correctly, a new person comes to the front

Activity

In groups of 4, research 2 types of non verbal

communication on the internet and using your

textbooks

Create a poster for childcare professionals

describing:

a) What these can communicate

b) Why this is important in their jobs

Observing Individual’s Reactions

• In groups of 3, a 3 minute role play• Person A is nursery nurse. Person B is the parent, Person C

is the observer• A talks to B about the progress of their child• They aren’t doing well at nursery and their behaviour is poor• Observer:

Make notes on the facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and body posture of Persons A and B. What does it show?

• Swop roles

• What did you notice about the body language of Person A and B?

How should you communicate?

• The way we communicate with others should take account of each individual’s needs, wishes and preferences.

• A practitioner needs to be able to: listen empathetically give support at the appropriate time give confidence to those who feel

that what they are saying is not valued.

Textbook- guidelines for communicating well with parents and carers

Role plays to act out

Communicating with parents and carers (1)

• An appropriate time for discussion needs to be set.

• Parents and carers often need to talk as well as listen – a practitioner needs to develop listening skills.

A practitioner should: speak quietly and calmlyshow that they are listeningnever gossip.

Communicating with parents and carers (2)

During a discussion, it is important for the practitioner:• to maintain eye contact (if appropriate to do so) to show

that full attention is being given• be aware of the effects of body language• not to interrupt, instead, nod and smile every now and

then, to sum up the points made• to say if they don’t know the answer to a question, but

agree to find out later• to remember any cultural differences, e.g. touching and

certain gestures• to be aware of any difficulties, e.g. a different language,

hearing impairment, disability.

Written Assignment

• Task 1 (LO 1.1, 1.2, 1.3). The Importance of Effective Communication

Effective communication is vital when working with children and young people. As part of your induction as a new staff member, you have been asked to answer the following (100 words for each question), to present to your Line Manager:

1. What are the different reasons people communicate in the work setting? List at least 6 reasons, with examples for each

2. When you work with children and young people, what are the advantages of good communication?

3. When we communicate, it is not just the words spoken that are important.

3a) What are the different ways that people communicate?

3b) Can you explain why it is important to watch a person’s face and how they react, when you talk to them?

ReviewTraffic Lights – What have I learnt?

• I need extra help with:

• I am comfortable with :

• I am competent at :

What is something new that I learnt today?