Who Am I as a Communicator ?

Who Am I as a Communicator?

 

This week we were asked to evaluate the differences between our perception of ourselves as a communicator and how others viewed our abilities as a communicator as well. The three assessment used were the Communication Anxiety Inventory, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, and the Listening Styles Profile.

What surprised me were on the Communication Anxiety Inventory assessment I am ranked moderate. My scored indicated that I am concerned about a number of communication context, but probably not all. This place me at mid-point level of communication anxiety which is called “situational (Rubin, Palmgreen, & Sypher, 2009).  The other two individual ranked me as mild. The description stated that I feel a bit uneasy in some communication situation and somewhat more confident in other contexts, communications does not seem to be something that I worry a great deal about (Rubin, Palmgreen, & Sypher, 2009). I do worry about how I communicate with others in different situation that why I was surprise how the other two ranked me.

 I learned a lot about myself from the three assessments used this week. I learned that I allow my concerns about other feelings to cloud my dealing with a lot of situations directly. The assessments helped me to be aware of areas in communication that I need to improve. Learning about myself and areas of my strengths and weakness in communications has inspired me to monitor my presentations even more carefully. Being an effective communicator consist of many areas in which we have to be skilled.

 

Reference

Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: “Communication Anxiety Inventory”/ “Verbal Aggressiveness Scale”. A sourcebook. New York: Routledge  

 

Effective Comunication Strategies

Effective Communication Strategies

 There are many places in which we come in contact with people from other cultures. No matter where we go we come in contact with some type of diversity. On our jobs, in stores, in school and other places in our communities. Until now, I was not aware of the different communication styles I used when I engage in communication with people who are different from me.  

When speaking with some who do not speak English, I speak slowly, clearly using my hands and other body movement to help with communicate the message.

Speaking with family members I speak faster, louder, and a more realized matter, chopping the pronunciation of words and finishing each other sentences.

Understanding the difference in my communication styles with people who are of different cultures and groups, I have obtain the following strategies: eliminate all barriers and negative judgments, obtaining information about culture and group who are different from the ones I am familiar and applying the “Platinum Rule”.

These strategies help me to connect with others, enhance me in being an effective communicator, and to build strong respectful relationships with children, their families, and others in my community.     

Non- Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication

 

I watched the show “The Middle” which is a sit- come about the Heck family which consist of a mother, father, and three children. In this episode of the show the family seems to be gather in the family room for a meeting. Everyone is sitting on the couch except the mother who is walking back and forth in front of the other family members moving her hands as she talk. She seem to be explaining something to the family.  The youngest son was sitting looking at his mother with a blank look on his face. The oldest son had his head resting on the back of the couch, rolled his head from side to side. He also yawned.  The daughter was sitting on the edge of the couch with her elbows placed on her knees with her face placed in the palm of her hands. The father had a look of when is this going to end expression on his face. I think the mother was discussing a topic that none of the other family members was interested in hearing about.

When I turned the volume up I found out the mother was discussing with the family about how she wanted to go back to school to get a degree so she could find a better job. She also wanted the family to help out with the cleaning around the house and other things which she would not have time to do once she start school.

While watching the show with the volume down I saw many facial expression that shown the family did not like or care for what the mother was saying. It was hard to really get and understanding of what was going on without sound. I based my assumption on the facial expression and body movement of the character. 

Watching the show without sound made me think about my own facial expression and body language when I am talking to others. I wonder how many times I have been misunderstood by others because of my facial expression and body language.  

Competent Communication

Competent Communication

The person I feel demonstrates competent communication is my pastor who is also my husband. He has a sense of confidence about him when he stands before the congregation. He speaks clearly as he engage us to understand what is being said by painting pictures with the words he speaks. His body languages express the passion he has for what he does. He makes eye contact with member of the congregation as he calls members by name while speaking. He laughs and sometime cry as he raise his voice and sometime lower it as he communicates his messages. He presents the message for the day in a simple yet powerful way connecting with whoever may be at the service for the day.

When we are talking or he is  conducting a meeting he listen to others without interrupting them as they share their perspective keeping an open mind concerning the matter.

I would like to model my communication skills after my husband and how he connects and so passionately communicates with people from all walks of life.   

Professional Hopes and Goals

Professional Hopes and Goals

I have gained so much information about diversity during this course. i understand how much a person’s culture, value, and beliefs make up who they are as an individual. How important it is for educators to establish a relationship with all children and their families, to stand up for the rights of others, and to respect all people.

My hope is for all programs working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that all people accept and respect each other, to embrace both the similarities and the differences that each family brings to the program.

My goal is to continue to be passionate and to be an effective advocate for children and the families I serve. My goal for the Early Childhood field is for it to incorporate families diversity more into the programs by doing this we will be able to understand and meet the individual needs of the children and families more. This would give the children and families a sense of pride concerning their culture.

I would like to thank all my colleagues for the feedback you have given to me during this course. I appreciate the insights and ideas you shared. My wish for you is that you keep your passion and fulfill your desires in life as you continue your journey. Hope to share other classes with you. God Bless!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

I am working in a childcare center and I received word that a child from a family who recently emigrated from Niger, Africa would be enrolling in the center. The family home language is French.

 

 I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive by:

 

*Getting all the information I can obtain about the child and her family before their arrival. (Language, culture, and interest, number of children in family, role of children, gender roles, child’s abilities or disabilities). Review paper work.

*Learn basic words in family home language, also label and post names of item in family home language and English. Have a translator available.

* Incorporating art, music, foods and crafts from the family culture.

* Have a meeting with all staff to collaborate on ways we all can make child and family feel welcome at the center and to discuss any problem they foresee.  

*Be aware of my own attitudes toward cultures differences.

My overall goals are to eliminate all bias, prejudices and discrimination that may be present, make sure the child and her family members feel valued, respected, and welcome in the child’s learning environment. To include all children cultural knowledge as part of the learning environment in which all children may engage in and thrive in during their learning process.   

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 I was raised in a very small town in the South. I remember when I was in the 8th grade. A Caucasian family moved into town. The family had a boy my age and his younger sister. The boy was placed in my class at school.  My best friend who was an African American girl (Amy) and the Caucasian boy (Ken) decided to become girlfriend and boyfriend.  In the late 60’s the idea of a Caucasian boy dating an African American girl in the south was not accepted.  This relationship brought forth an uproar within the school among the teachers, principal and some of the student. They both was harassed by teachers, students, cafeteria staff, and custodian of the school.   The teachers of both race gather Amy and Ken together for mandatory meetings. Within the meeting, the teachers began to explain why their relationship was not acceptable at school. I remember the principal meeting with the parents of my friends. This interracial relationship was so discriminated against that my best friend and her family moved out of the county a few weeks later.

 Now that I am aware of internal oppression I can see how this incident could have effected many internally who was involved in the situation. Incidents such as this is degrading and humiliating. They destroy ones self-esteem and self-worth.

As we know prejudices is a learn behavior and children do not automatically display this behavior, in the late 60’s children were introduced to prejudices behavior through adults actions. Today our society is more acceptable to interracial relationships. I am glad things has change enough that people are free to have relationships with whom they choose.