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Friday, January 26, 2018

Toolkit for improving communication


When you think of a toolkit it has several tools and gadgets to fix things, however communication the similar depending on your audience. (Babies, children, young adults, parents Educators and so on). In my current work environment, there are a number of children that have diverse conversations from grade levels 3rd through 8th grade. Valley Life charter school in California is creating a culture shift regarding 7 habits approach to learning about any given topic or problem.
This week I learned from observation nonverbal communication strategies from the student in 3rd through 8th grade. Students boys and girls are very dynamic when expressing himself through their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. These examples were evidence in the playground and in the cafeteria. During recess children often show their facial expressions when playing football with one another. In the cafeteria, the girls seem to be yelling at one another ( their tone of voice) of excitement enjoy of hanging around one another.

Working at Valley Life charter school, there are number ways to relate to the children cultural ethnicity. I had the privilege to sit in a Spanish class and students were discussing different cultures and activities they would like to have on campus. For an example students and staff were thinking about having a culture night, that different ethnicity can bring their own food. Cultures such as Portuguese, Asian, African-American, Latino and other ethnicities. I believe that this is a great way to include the community and student involvement at Valley Life charter school. 

Evaluating conversations of agreement or disagreement at Valley Life charter school was interesting. This week's as we study communication, I noticed staff and students dialogue between one another. Interesting fact that students and teachers often agree or disagree depending on the situation, however, was courteous to one another. Students and staff members often repeated what they heard, for example, I heard you say this but I disagree and this is the reason why or I agree with you have or can we improve on this area. By observing their conversations allow me to seek first to understand the approach of the 7 Habits. Being an active listener of communication.


Valley Life charter school is unusual compared to other schools by using The 7 Habit approach. Students and staff members have the 7 Habits printed or painted on their walls in their classroom. Having these quotes, phrases available for students and staff is a friendly reminder of how we communicate with one another if there's an agreement or disagreement occurs.

This week's assignment has improved my communications of being an active listener without my bias point of views.

2 comments:

Katisa Smith said...

Mohan nice blog. You are correct using nonverbal communication when working with older children is sometimes best because just watching their body language and facial expressions can tell you so much. I love encouraging children to be verbal. I always tell my children we can agree to disagree, but we will be respectful to one another at all times.

Alexandra Samuel said...

I agree with Mohan and Katisa because older children often sit back and observe the environment around them as well. Their non verbal communication speaks volumes because it explains how they feel. By watching them, we as educators and promote and foster healthy development and sometimes change how they are feeling in an uncomfortable situation. I believe non verbal communication is actually a great way of communicating because it will not go unnoticed.