Laser Lessons - Lesson

Be able to communicate to meet individuals’ needs and preferences

This video, produced by Laser Learning, examines the various different communication needs in a setting during one day. You will see a practitioner and parent discussing a child’s health and medicine needs, and discussing a child’s achievements at pickup at the end of the day. The practitioners also discuss how to deal with confidentiality issues when giving out party invitations. Watch the video and make notes. Is there anything in the video that you do differently in your setting?

Table of Contents

Tutorial Video
Reading Materials

‘Barriers to communication'
'What is communication?’ from the Skills You Need website.
'Effective communication’ from the Early Years Careers website

Presentation
Good Practice Example
Interactive Quiz
Evidence Opportunities
Extended Learning

Look at notices around the setting that are written for staff or parents. Are the notices written in a friendly, respectful and non-confrontational way? Could they be re-worded to promote the same message but to portray a different and more respectful attitude towards others?
Think about the information parents might want to know about their children when they come to pick them up each day. Do you communicate this information clearly? Ask them if they feel you keep them well-informed and if there is anything else they would like to know.
This American article offers some useful information about maintaining communication - ‘Ways to communicate to parents and staff at a day care center’ from the Small Business Chronicle.
Take time to make yourself familiar with various cultures, unique needs, dietary requirements, and special needs for each child in your room. Make a note of your findings and take some time to research them, using the internet, any books or leaflets at your setting or in the local library, the knowledge of your colleagues and, most importantly, the parents of the children themselves.
The Teach Early Years website has a useful article on ‘Communicating with parents’. Click on the link on the left to open the article.
Click on the link to look at the WorkCommunication website which offers a number of high quality articles about communication in the workplace.
Borrow and read the book 'How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk' by Adele Gaber and Elaine Mazlish,by Picadilly Press (2013).
Click on the right arrow to see a video about how children ask questions.

Extended Learning
Think And Challenge