Adapting Communication for Age of Pupils Essay

When working with children each age group requires a different level of support and also a best way to communicate, communication doesn’t just change on the age of the child but also the child themselves. When working with children in the foundation stage F-1 it is appropriate to speak to children n there level whenever possible this helps the child to feel more comfortable as they haven’t got someone towering over them, also for the adult it helps them to hear the child correctly as younger children are likely to not be as loudly spoken and may lack in confidence. Also another non verbal communication in this age is to use lots of facial expression as children will pick up the meaning of a word or what context it is meant in by facial expression as well as tone of voice. Younger children also benefit from the use of actions to go with words such as having a hand action for hello waving etc. this makes language more remember able to them and easier for them to use. The verbal communication for this age needs to be simple, using words which the child will understand both the meaning of the word and the context it is meant in for example clear instructions are helpful such as â€Å" go and get your coats on, its cold today, they need to be done up, and then line up please† a opposed to â€Å" coats on† the children will not know to do up or line up. Clear tone of voice I also needed and children quickly respond to this if a member of staff has a calm happy tone of voice and changes to a stern tone the pupils are likely to recognise she is upset about something as her tone of voice has dramatically changed. Where as if a member of staff always had a flat tone of voice which doesn’t change children are likely to be less aware or able to pick up on the contexts things are meant as they are unable to relate to the changing of tone. See more:  Mark Twain’s Humorous Satire in Running for Governor Essay In KS-1 pupils have much better language skills and can use more complex words, Verbally I can use more complex words such as time words, and more complex description words when communicating with them light humour is also appropriate as they will be able to understand it. In KS-1 pupils are likely to find it a little unnerving If I were to always speak to them on their level as they are older and may see this as been spoken to like a baby, however eye contact is still important when speaking to them. Hand actions will no longer be needed at this stage, also facial expression is still important but needn’t be as exadrated. As children get older depending on their development they are likely to be able to communicate on a more adult level, exploring language and understanding its context and meaning, using humour and asking questions if unsure of how something is meant. The context of the communication. How I communicate with the CYPs in the settiing will be adapted also to the context in which I am talking for example when in the classroom working with a pupil on a task I will speak in a calm relaxed tone of voice, encouraging them while they do the task, if a pupil had been struggling I may change my tone of voice to a more enthusiastic pitch recognising their achievements. When in a classroom and a pupil might talk whilst the teacher is talking either to myself or another pupil usually saying their name in a stern tone and unsmiling face is enough to get them to correct their behaviour. Whilst in the playground speaking to a pupil on a social subject I can relax use light humour, be interested in what they are saying without asking inappropriate questions. I can use hand gestures and have a more relaxed pose. Communication differences. Pupils depending on their individual needs, preferences may need different communication from their peers for example is a pupil is quiet shy and quietly spoken they may feel more comfortable with the adult to speaking to them in a calm quiet manner whereas a adult being load and confident may make them feel very nervous etc. Pupils who have SEN. may need communication to be different to suit their needs for example if they have additional learning needs they may have difficulty understanding language as well as there peers and need simple language with actions and facial expressions to help them. Pupils with sight difficulties may need more physical communication such as leading around the room by hand or being allowed to explore activity’s by touch. Pupils with a hearing difficulties may benefit from visual aids around the classroom such as school rules such as no running. They may also need adults to repeat things to them if they are unsure and also for adults to always face them when talking to them to enable them to lip read, and speak in a clear load voice. TDA 3.1( 2.3) The differences between communicating with adults, children and young people. The way I communicate with adults and pupils varies depending on the context, however in a professional situation a lot of the communication is the same such as using a calm happy tone of voice, good eye contact and open body language. Some things which are different which may be appropriate for a child but not for a adult such as using a stern tone of voice to discipline a child, wouldn’t be suitable for use on a adult as they are adults and this would cause conflict as it isn’t my place to get them to correct their behaviour, Adults don’t need me to speak to them on their level although in some situations this may be useful for example in a noisy pace to bend down to talk to another adult who is seated. Depending on the age of the child humour used may not be appropriate although as with children as any humour used is likely to be hear by children it will remain light and clear so no one misunderstands its context and also humour must never hurt someone else’s feelings. Hand actions and exadirated facial expressions aren’t needed with adults as they might be benifitual to communicating with children. How to adapt my communication with adults to meet adults individual communication needs. Adults within the setting like children too will have their own needs, preferences when communicating Also their communication preferences may change depending on the situation/ environment they are in for example if a member of staff is outside in a busy playground supervising, they have to supervise the pupils so are unlikely to maintain full eye contact which in some situations may be seen as having bad communication however in this situation the child is paramount and they are putt ing the child’s safety first. Also in a noisy environment they are likely to need me to speak louder and clearly. In a situation where the member of staff may be doing some written work I will approach them quietly so not to disturb them as the written word may be important. Adults may also have a disability or need such as a hearing impairment which will mean I will need to make sure my face is visible when talking to them so that they can lip read, also I would never talk to them across the room but make sure I am stood in front of them when communicating with them, I will also speak in a clear load voice. Managing disagreements with CYP. If I were to become in a situation where myself and a child came into a disagreement I would firstly make sure the child has understood something I said probably by repeating myself and use simpler words. It may be that I may have misunderstood the meaning of something a child said so to confirm I will ask questions to make sure I am clear on the context they meant It in. It may be a achedemic disagreement for example a child telling me they have already read a certain book, I would refer to their home/ school book to check as all books children read are written down. Most disagreements via myself and a child can easily be resolved either by clarifying meaning, they might not have meant what they said in that manner , or if its about their school work I can check with the teacher or through any written records the school has that are relevant. In my setting I will have to maintain professional communication even if I disagree or experience any conflict with another adult. I would keep this unobvious to the pupils within the room instead dealing with the issue outside of the classroom at a appropriate time i.e. in the staffroom at a designated break time. I feel that in most instances I would be able to solve the issue with a verbal open conversation with the other adult explaining to them what I am unhappy about and why. However if the incidence was serious where the other member of staff showed a misconduct of practise i.e. racism poor health and safety etc. I may feel it appropriate to consult the head teacher of what has happen/what I have witnessed. I will refrain from criticizing the member of staff myself. In a more serious event I may be asked to write down what I have encountered if the head teacher needs to seek advice take the incident to the school governors or local authority. TDA 3.1 (3.2) An explanation of the importance of reassuring CYP and adults of the confidentiality of shared information and the limits of this. As part of safeguarding I in some cases am required to break any confidentiality if the information may mean a child is in potential harm or at risk from harm. Any disclosures from children concerning adults both within and outside of the school setting have to be reported to help risk to be assessed and prevented. In the case of adults it may be they a adult has concerns over another adults practise maybe due to a action taken by the adult , their mental health at a certain time or something a child has informed them off. When hearing any concerning information I will always firstly reassure the information giver that they have done the correct thing, I will them tell them that I cannot keep it to myself but will have to tell a appropriate person however it wont be told to anyone just the people who need to know. It is important that I tell them this so they don’t think of me a misusing their trust, or doing something to upset them, they need to know that the children’s safety comes first and any information that is passed on is done so only to protect them and only the relevant people will be told about it.