1. Unit SHC 21 Introduction to communication in children and young people’s settings
Miss Shepping

2. SHC 21 Introduction to communication in children and young people’s settings
3 credits
This unit is all about:
The importance of effective communication in the work setting
Methods of communication and the language needs, wishes and preferences of an individual
How to reduce barriers to communication
Confidentiality.

3. Learning Outcomes
Today we are going to be learning about why communication is important in the workplace
ALL will know at least one reason why individuals communicate
MOST will be able to explain how effective communcation affects all aspects of work
SOME will be able to understand the importance of non verbal communication

4. The Big Picture Know The content of Unit 1, ‘Intro to communication’
Why people communicate?
Understand
The effect that effective communication can have in the work setting
Have reflected upon or developed
How it is important to observe an individual’s reactions when communicating with them

5. Connector Work with a partner
Working in a children and young people’s setting, who are
all the other people you need to communicate with?

6. Who does the practitioner communicate with in the work setting?
In the work setting, it is necessary to communicate with a range of people.
children
and
young
people
parents,
families
and
carers
Who does
the practitioner
communicate
with?
other
professionals,
e.g.
social
Workers, GPs etc
colleagues
and
managers
There are one-to-one interactions with a child, young person, parent etc. and group interactions, e.g. group activities, case conferences and staff meetings.

7. Research What is communication?
Why is it important? Why do we need to communicate in the workplace and particularly in a workplace looking after children?
Research in your groups and feedback to the class

8. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To promote relationships and offer support
Fill in your worksheet!

9. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To maintain relationships

10. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To exchange information

11. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To develop learning

12. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To negotiate and liaise with others

13. Why People Communicate in Children and Young People’s settings
To express needs and feelings

14. Reasons for Communicating in Work Settings 1.1
The main reasons why people communicate in work settings are:
to exchange information
to express needs and feelings
to promote relationships and
offer support
to maintain relationships
to negotiate and liaise with others.
Can you
think of
Some more
examples
of these?
You will be expected to show that you can identify why people communicate for Learning Outcome 1.

15. Communication methods
Effective communication involves:
*listening
*responding
*questioning
*understanding
Communication is not just the spoken or written word.
It is also:
facial expressions
body language (posture, actions and gestures)
tone of voice
pauses
taking turns in talking and listening.

16. How effective communication affects all aspects of work in the work setting
Children and young people will learn to trust and respect the practitioner if they communicate effectively with them.
A better relationship with colleagues, parents and other adults will be developed if the practitioner has effective communication skills.
Effective communication skills
Warmth
Showing interest in the individual.
Listening carefully and actively.
Showing sincerity and conveying the
positive value of others.
Using appropriate body language.
Conveying warmth and understanding.
Establishing boundaries.
Reflecting on own practice.
Understanding
1.2 For each of the skills
opposite, think of examples
of the times when you have
seen an effective use of
these skills.
1.3 Are these skills something you already have or can you learn the skills that will improve your ability to communicate with others?

17. The importance of effective communication
Why is effective communication in the workplace necessary?
building positive relationships
maintaining good relationships
exchanging information
negotiating and liaising
the expression of feelings and needs.
with whom?
with whom?
what types of information?
with whom?
what feelings?
what needs?
TASK: CASE STUDY, TEXTBOOKS, PAGE 4

18. Active Listening Work in pairs and discuss what we mean by
Brainstorm and be ready to feedback to the group
You have 2 minutes to do this

19. Active Listening Look interested and ready to listen Eye contact
Hearing what is said
Remembering what is said
Checking understanding with the other person
Posture

20. Active Listening Task Active listening exercise in pairs
In turn, each partner will talk for a minute or two
while the other person listens, without saying
anything. At first, the listener is to be as attentive
as possible. After 2 minutes, the listener is to
listen less well
Do the exercise twice, with partners exchanging roles
Feedback to the class

21. FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEETS!
Activity 1
What kinds of communication can you see in this clip?
FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEETS!

22. Non Verbal Communication at Work

23. Non Verbal Communication
Body language and facial expressions tell us a lot! Body language includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body posture, positioning within groups

24. Observing the reactions of others (1) 1.3
The person working with children must be able to observe and to interpret the reactions of children, young people, parents and other adults. A practitioner needs to be aware that:
facial expressions and gestures can have different meanings in different cultures.
non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication (sometimes more so)
How much of our communication is conveyed in non verbal ways?
70%

25. Observing the reactions of others (1) 1.3
Pictures of babies and children:
What do each of the pictures
say? Can you tell how the
children are feeling? Report back
to the class. 2 minutes

26. Gestures

27. Do you Speak English?
What is getting in the way of the communication?
FILL IN YOUR WORKSHEET!

28. Observing the Reactions of Others (2)
Why are facial expressions, body language and gestures different in different cultures?
Discuss in pairs for 2 minutes and write your answers on paper to put in your files
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?

29. Observing the reactions of others (3)
In some Western cultures, avoiding eye contact can be a sign of someone not agreeing with the other person. In other cultures, it is seen as showing respect. Sometimes, others may regard you more intensely, because they are having difficulties understanding you or because they don’t want to show their feelings.
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?

30. Observing the reactions of others (3)
Body posture can indicate an individual’s true feelings.
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?
DISCUSSION
What might arms folded tightly over chest indicate?
What might sitting with shoulders back in relaxed posture indicate?

31. Review Games to test your communication skills
Everyone to get into date order of their birthday
At one end, the youngest and at the other end, the
Oldest
Use Non Verbal Communication
ONE rule: no one allowed to speak
Get into groups of 4 or 5 with paper. One person
from each group will come up to the front and be
given an object or person they have to draw. They
are not allowed to speak
The rest of the group has to guess what they are drawing
When the group have guessed correctly, a new person comes to the front
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?

32. Activity In groups of 4, research 2 types of non verbal
communication on the internet and using your
textbooks
Create a poster for childcare professionals
describing:
What these can communicate
Why this is important in their jobs
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?

33. Observing Individual’s Reactions
In groups of 3, a 3 minute role play
Person A is nursery nurse. Person B is the parent, Person C is the observer
A talks to B about the progress of their child
They aren’t doing well at nursery and their behaviour is poor
Observer: Make notes on the facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and body posture of Persons A and B. What does it show?
Swop roles
What did you notice about the body language of Person A and B?
This doesn’t seem to make sense to me?

34. How should you communicate?
The way we communicate with others should take account of each individual’s needs, wishes and preferences.
A practitioner needs to be able to:
listen empathetically
give support at the appropriate time
give confidence to those who feel
that what they are saying is not valued.
Textbook- guidelines for communicating well with parents and carers
Role plays to act out

35. Communicating with parents and carers (1)
An appropriate time for discussion needs to be set.
Parents and carers often need to talk as well as listen – a practitioner needs to develop listening skills.
A practitioner should:
speak quietly and calmly
show that they are listening
never gossip.

36. Communicating with parents and carers (2)
During a discussion, it is important for the practitioner:
to maintain eye contact (if appropriate to do so) to show that full attention is being given
be aware of the effects of body language
not to interrupt, instead, nod and smile every now and then, to sum up the points made
to say if they don’t know the answer to a question, but agree to find out later
to remember any cultural differences, e.g. touching and certain gestures
to be aware of any difficulties, e.g. a different language, hearing impairment, disability.

37. Written Assignment
Task 1 (LO 1.1, 1.2, 1.3). The Importance of Effective Communication
Effective communication is vital when working with children and young people. As part of your induction as a new staff member, you have been asked to answer the following (100 words for each question), to present to your Line Manager:
What are the different reasons people communicate in the work setting? List at least 6 reasons, with examples for each
When you work with children and young people, what are the advantages of good communication?
When we communicate, it is not just the words spoken that are important.
3a) What are the different ways that people communicate?
3b) Can you explain why it is important to watch a person’s face and how they react, when you talk to them?

38. Review Traffic Lights – What have I learnt?
I need extra help with:
I am comfortable with :
I am competent at :
What is something new that I learnt today?