Positive communication helps caregivers to interact with children in a nurturing, respectful, supportive, and responsive way. Communication is more than words; it's tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. As a child care professional, your personality will affect the behavior of the children in your care.
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Smiling
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Speaking to children at their eye level
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Listening to what children have to say with attention
and interest
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Seeking meaningful conversation
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Making eye contact (for some children making eye
contact may not be culturally appropriate)
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Asking children for their opinions or suggestions
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Giving children choices when possible
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Observing children's play with interest and
occasionally offering suggestions
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Honoring children's home languages
An important part of positive communication with children is teaching them
what TO do instead of what NOT to do.
Rather than: “Don’t ruin that book.”
Say: “Wash your hands before looking at the book and
remember to turn the pages carefully.”
Often when children are told what not to do, they do not know what positive
alternatives they can do to successfully navigate the situation. You should use
these opportunities as teaching moments to help children develop positive behaviors.
Related online training:
A Basic Approach to Communication with Children - 2 hours
Washington STARS Credit: Communication [2 hours]
Washington Core Competency: Interactions [2 hours]
> Early Care & Education Professionals [2 hours]
Click here to check if our courses are accepted in your state.
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