Evaluating Communication

I feel that completing the communication inventories this week were both interesting and informative.  I chose to have a family member, my sister, complete the inventory and a co-worker.  I was surprised that all three sets of evaluations were very similar, although they actually may have differed in the specific point value.  My co-worker’s evaluation and my evaluation were identical which surprised me because she has only known me for a few months.  My sister gave me a more favorable evaluation on the verbal aggressiveness scale; however, I believe this is because she has only seen me interact with family or friends where there is usually little cause for aggressiveness.  I was surprised to learn that I am more of a people-oriented listener because before completing the surveys I would not have described myself that way.  I realize that to work in the early childhood field it is important to be people-oriented in not only listening but also every other form of communication.  I think that although I was evaluated as being moderately verbally aggressive, I am proud to be able to argue a person’s position without demeaning them. 

Different communication

Different Communication

 

                I do not believe that I find myself communicating differently across cultures; however, when I am speaking with someone from a different nationality and language system I do find myself using body language more intentionally.  I do not know why I do this, I am not sure if it is even effective.  When I am at church or at work, I use more formal language than when I am with family or friends.  I think this is due to comfort level and perception.  When I am at home or with family and friends, I am more comfortable and communicate freely in my preferred method.  When I am at church or at work, I use language that is more formal so that I will be understood and so that I will not be perceived as someone who cannot speak proper English.  

I think that three strategies for improving communication in all situations is to really listen to the other person, ask questions if you don't understand, and try to use the platinum rule if at all possible.

Unexpected Communication

 

                This week, I viewed the program Hart of Dixie with the sound off.  I am not very familiar with the show, nor do I even know the characters’ names; however, observing their communication styles was very interesting.  In the beginning of the show, one of the characters was standing with his arm around a female character and he was addressing a nearby couple.  Since, the characters were smiling and laughing I assumed that they were having a pleasant conversation.  However, when I turned the sound on I realized that he was sharing personal communication about their relationship that no one needed to know in order to make her angry so that they could have a fight.  The female character, Dr. Hart, did not follow through with his plan because she is trying not to get angry over little things.

                I think this scenario shows that we cannot fully understand the communication of another, especially if we have no way of “hearing” them.  Nonverbal communication can be completely misleading although it is more difficult to fake.  Even when we “hear” the words, we may not know the meaning or the intent in which they are said, which is why we must process incoming information carefully and if we are not certain it is okay to ask.

An Effective Communicator

Although, there are many politicians and celebrities who by profession must have at least reasonable communication skills; one of the greatest communicators in my life was my mother, Linda Starnes.  My mother was not a great public speaker; however, our family depended on her communication for survival.  She was a wonderful listener and was always willing to listen to us no matter what was going on in her own personal life.  In fact, whether she gave suggestions or not, the simple act of listening always appeared to make the problem better or at least more manageable.  Although, my mother never took any communication courses growing up with six siblings and then having four children and three grandchildren of her own taught her a lot about communication.  My mother rarely gave direct pieces of advice but was a “sounding board” as you gave ideas to try to solve your problem.  Nearly every time you finished a conversation with her, you left feeling better not only about the problem but about yourself.  I would love to have her “communication technique” because it always left you feeling validated and respected.

Reflecting on Social Equity

A hope that I have when working with children and families from diverse backgrounds that I have, after taking this course, is that I will be able to meet them with respect, appreciation, and acceptance.  I hope that I will be able to engage with them in honest discussions and develop true partnerships with them. 

                I believe that a goal for early childhood in regard to diversity, social justice, and equity is to make anti-bias curriculum a required component for schools and centers.  Anti-bias curriculum  teaches teachers and children how to navigate the diverse world around them.  I am aware of many centers and preschools that do not incorporate any components of anti-bias curriculum nor have their teachers been trained in it.  I believe that doing this would increase social justice for all. 

                Finally, I would like to think all of my classmates, colleagues, and our professor as we have navigated down this enlightening journey.  For me, this course has been very challenging because it brought to light issues that I did not even know I had.  Thank you all for contributing to my understanding of all the important concepts we have studied.

Welcoming Families from Around the World

 

                In order to welcome a new family from a foreign culture many steps and preparations must be taken into consideration.  I am a teacher at a childcare center and I am getting ready to welcome a family from Venezuela.  I have never traveled to Venezuela nor do I know anything about the culture or history of Venezuela.  In order to welcome the child and the family I will begin by learning something about the surface culture because although surface culture because although surface culture is not critically important it may give us some common ground in the beginning while we build relationships.  I will also research the language so that I can translate classroom orientation packets into the family’s home language.  I will also need to label some classroom materials in the child’s language as well so that she can continue to learn her language as well as English.  In order to begin to build a relationship with the family I will hold a meeting so that I can go over classroom expectations and allow the parents to express their expectations for their child’s learning.  At this meeting, I realize it may be necessary to hire a translator, because I do not speak Spanish.  If the family feels comfortable enough I will ask them some questions about their culture and their expectations and ensure them that I am here to teach their child as well as aide them.  I will also ensure that the child sees herself and her family reflected in classroom materials and books.  By taking these steps, I hope that they will allow the family and me to begin to build a relationship and partner together to ensure the best possible experience for their child.  For the parents I hope this allows them to see me as someone they can trust and cares about them and their child.  For the child, I hope that she will believe that she has a teacher who not only respects her but her family as well.  As the teacher, I believe these steps and the ones to follow will allow me to be the best teacher possible for not only this particular child but others as well.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Bias, prejudice, and oppression are unfortunately a part of our lives.  It takes place in nearly everything we do in some form or another.  The only experience, in which I could say that I have been a victim of prejudice or bias, is when a family member at the center I used to work at would not allow her child to be in my classroom because I am a man.  At first, it was a little hurtful but I did not think much about it tossing it up to a parent’s choice in whom educates her child.  However, after studying topics in our course I realize that it was bias and prejudice because that mother had a particular notion of what a teacher of young children should be and I did not fit that description.  I think this particular episode diminished equity because it made the case that males were not as capable of caring for and teaching young children as females.  I believe it also diminished equity because I believe this particular mother was afraid of what I, as a man, might do to her child, which is very hurtful.  If this parent had been paying attention to news reports lately, she will realize that females are just as capable of hurtful behavior as males.  I realize that for me this brought up feelings of anger and hurt because I was made to feel inadequate and not capable much less being good enough for her child’s teacher.  In this case, I think that our program could have changed where the parent would not have been giving a choice.  However, I believe that is the particular parent that needs to change because it was her bias that caused the situation. However, after being at my former program for five years I think that I have proven that men can be effective, caring teachers for our youngest children.   As a special note, I want to say that all parents have the right to make educational decisions about their child.