Effeitive Communication

Zero to Three (n.d) is the National Center for infants, toddlers, and their families. Their website, zerotothree.com, is filled with resources to equips educators and families with information regarding infants and toddlers. Zero to Three sends out monthly newsletter. I registered for the newsletter last week and was told that I will start receiving their monthly newsletters by the first of next month. I am looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of infancy through toddler-hood. When exploring Zero to Three’s website I found an article containing information about the three keys steps of parent communication.

Zero to Three’s (n.d) first key step is awareness of your own feelings. When educators are unaware of their feelings it can lead to a negative relationship with parents. It is essential that educators find ways to communicate their feelings in a positive manner to the parents. Parents and educators need to come together as a team to create the best environment possible for the child. When parents feel like they are the educator’s team member and not the subject of blame then it will lead to a positive relationship. Once educators are aware of their own feelings then they are able to move on to the second step of communication.

The second key step that Zero to Three (n.d) suggests for communicating with parents is taking the child’s perspective of the situation into consideration. Becoming aware of the child’s viewpoint enables educators to reduce tension and stress by creating an answer to the problem. They give an example of a child who throws a tantrum when a parent comes to pick him up. In that situation the educator could allow the parents to see the tantrum from the child’s perspective, they are enjoying playing with the toys in the room and that it is not against the parents. After an educator has become aware of their feelings and the feelings of the child then they are able to move onto the third step.

Zero to Three (n.d) says that the third step to parent communication is partnering with the parents.  Educators can ensure that parents do not view them as competitors by creating strong partnerships. Some ways that educators can guarantee they are developing a partnership are by using “I” statements when communicating with parents, asking for the parents’ point of view, and lastly being willing to compromise. Parents are educators’ most valuable resources to the child’s likes and dislikes.  It is important that we as educators do not neglect the power of partnerships with parents.

I found this article to have good points that I can apply to what I have learned this week in Issues and Trends. This week we are studying diversity and demographic changes that are taking place in America. As an Early Childhood professional it is imperative that I have effective communication skills with the parents of my students. These three steps can be used for any parent that comes into my classroom. Educators need to first think of how they personal feel about the situation, then how the child feels, and lastly how to establish partnerships with parents. All three of these steps can be accomplished regardless of race, language, and background. When the parent knows you want to be their partner because you have their child’s best interest in mind it will lead to positive relationships. Positive relationships are built around good communication.

Reference:

Zero to Three (n.d.) Effective Communication with Parents. Retrieved from

http://www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education/family-friend-neighbor-care/effective-communication-with-parents.html