CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS

I have learned many skills and strategies this week that may be useful when dealing with conflict. The two that I think will be the most beneficial to me are the Win/Win Approach and showing Appropriate Assertivenss. The Win/Win Approach from the Conflict Resolution Network gives both sides the opportunity to benefit from the conflict because needs are being met for everyone. Opponents quickly become partners and learn to work together. In this form of resolution the problem is attacked and not the people. Appropriate Assertiveness is a conflict resolution skill that I think I need to use more when involved in conflict. I am usually not a very assertive person and I think this fact makes me seem more of a push over. I have learned that a key aspect of solving conflict is to make sure that both sides are clearly represented. References: Conflict Resolution Network. (n.d.). CR kit. Retrieved from http://www.crnhq.org/pages.php?pID=12#skill_3

Assessing My Styles as a Communicator

I have truly learned a lot about communicating with others since beginning the course Communicating and Collaborating in the Early Childhood Field. I never really thought about the complexity of communicating with others. How often do we just wave to others or talk to them without even thinking about the consequences of our words or actions. Communication helps to establish and build relationships with others. It enables us to make connections with those we love and those whom we have just met. My communication assessments were completed by my husband and a co-worker. They both scored me as a people-oriented person. This did not surprise me because I have always been a very empathetic person who tends to be very trusting of others. I believe that in the field of education you have to be a people-oriented person in order to relate to students and their families. They both said that I am moderate in the area of being respectful when disagreeing with others by not attacking the person, but by disagreeing with the topic or facts being stated. I will work on bringing that down lower to be gentler with those I disagree with. Everyone agreed that I really do not show much anxiety when communicating with others. I think the only time I really feel anxious is when I have to speak to a large group of people in a public place. As I begin advocating for children and families, it is very important to me that I become less anxious as I collaborate with others in the field of early childhood education.

COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

In our world today people from all walks of life learn how to work, play, and live together. We interact and communicate with people of varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and abilities (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). Communication helps you to establish and maintain relationships with these people on a personal and professional level. In order to communicate effectively and appropriately in our world today, you must possess an understanding and appreciation for people who look differently, think differently, and perceive differently than you do. It is also important to understand the way your own background affects your perceptions (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). Successful intercultural communication requires mindfulness, being respectful of others, and maintaining an accurate perception of the situation (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). I try to remember this when communicating with my colleagues, my religious organizations, and people I have met socially. I also listen carefully to their responses and watch their nonverbal behaviors. You can tell a lot about what a person is thinking and how they are feeling from their nonverbal behaviors (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). I find communication with my family much easier because of the culture and connections that we share. Therefore I have expanded my perspectives, modified schemas, and initiated a third culture with others outside of my race, religious affiliations, and political view to establish relationships that have become like family in order to continue my passion of working with children and families (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2011). References: Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. O'- Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

COMMUNICATION IN ACTION

The Cat in the Hat: “Dress Up Day” I chose an animated television show to observe for this assignment. As I began watching the show without the sound I immediately understood why children are drawn to animated television shows. The Cat in the Hat Series features a very lively and colorful cast of characters. You have the Cat in the Hat who is a very big black and white stripped cat with a big red and white stripped top hat. He jumps and flips and flies around while laughing and making all sorts of other things appear and disappear. The children in the show were known as Nick and Sally. Nick and Sally laughed continuously and communicated throughout the program with gestures and nonverbal clues such as eye contact, pointing, jumping, clapping, and hugging. The plot included the children trying to find a costume for Dress up Day and taking an adventure with the Cat in the Hat when Sally needs silk to mend her princess costume. Throughout the program the animals portrayed human like qualities of smiling, frowning, talking, laughing, and helping each other as friends. I believe that because this was an animated children’s show, you could very easy understand what was happening even though there was no sound at first. The animals which included a cat, fish, a silk worm, and a moth all explicitly portrayed nonverbal cues and expressions that enabled me to clearly figure out what was happening. Watching this show reminded me of something my husband and sisters have always said to me. They told me that I have the perfect job of working with children because of my ability to be dramatic and animated. I view that as a compliment because I am able to make children laugh while they are learning! Reference: Ardiel, B. (Writer). Collingwood, T. (Director). (1995-2012). Cat in the Hat [Television Series]. Stroud, H. & Stall, J. (Producer). New York, NY: PBS.