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To relate (establish, maintain, and adjust relationships): One of the most important reasons that we communicate is to build relationships. These relationships may be romantic, friendly or strictly professional but all of them require communication to build a basis (shared understanding).
Some other reasons why people communicate:
- To maintain and promote good working relationships
- To encourage the children to communicate effectively
- To ensure that everybody knows where they stand
- To get their point across and ensure safety in the work environment
- To help people understand how you are feeling and act accordingly
- To work together
- To prevent errors
- Express your wants and needs
- To help build and maintain trust
- To negotiate and liaise with others
1.2 Explain how communication affects relationships in the work setting
Without communication the world would be a lonely place and communication is particularly important in the work setting as it can affect the relationships we build. Team communication is important as it is essential to keep everyone in the group knowledgeable about what is going on within that group.
Communication is vital for those who desire and for those already working in the childcare sector. In this sector practitioners need to build relationships with children, their parents and other relevant authorities. To enable practitioners to do this successfully they have to ensure their relationships grow and blossom, as practitioners rely immensely on effective communication.
As a practitioner communication with parents, colleagues, children and other professionals (i.e. health visitors, speech and language therapists, social workers, other schools, Police and other governing bodies) is imperative that everybody is provided the necessary information they need. This communication has to be clear and concise - both verbal and written - is critical. Without these skills, practitioners cannot engage productively with individuals (children, colleagues, management, parents or outside agencies).
The first time we meet a new parent or child it is important that we are friendly and welcoming. This is the start of the relationship and it is good to begin with firm foundations and that they get a positive feeling about us. The day-to-day conversations, of asking "How are you?" or just asking about someone's weekend will slowly build up a rapport with a parent or child and gradually the relationship will move on from that first friendly "hello" as we get to learn more about them and they learn more about us.
To gain and share information we find out information from the parents and children to help us do our job effectively and ensure that the needs of the children are met. We have to gain good knowledge of the children and in return we share information with them. It is also beneficial to build relationships with other professionals so that we may gain and share information with them to help us with run our settings effectively.
To gain reassurance and acknowledgement whilst working with young children we may give them reassurance physically with positive comments and acknowledge them by showing that we are interested in what they are doing. Reassurance and acknowledgement is also important to the practitioner; by children being content in our setting and their parents acknowledging that they are happy with the care their children are receiving.
Other reasons why Communication is important:
- Inspires confidence
- Builds respect in business (and social life)
- Helps make friends (colleagues, parents & external agencies)
- Develops a distinct personality
- Reveals your ability to others
Furthermore, communication is vital in establishing effective relationships in the work setting by allowing practitioners to expect support from colleagues/management and to provide them with the necessary support in times of stress and difficulty.
Effective communication is one of the most important sources of our work. If practitioners communicate effectively with children this will benefit massively on their learning and development, and they will become to trust and respect them as practitioners.
Communicating effectively with colleagues will help practitioners to develop professionally in their profession, and enable them to have a good working relationship, which will also help the children's learning and development.
Communicating effectively with parents will give practitioners the respect that their children are safe in their care, and to make sure that practitioners listen and understand them. By having a good relationship with parents will benefit the children's learning and development.
Communication Advantages
- Increase productivity
- Reduce stress
- Better understand what others are saying
- Better understand how to get your message across
- Enhance relationships
- Save time and money
As there has been, and will continue to be, an increase in the demand for good communication skills, as everyday life is becoming more complex and most jobs now need good communication skills, as it is crucial for progress in our changing world. ‘Effective communication skills are a critical element in our career and personal lives.’
