For those working with children, effective communication is a crucial part of building relationships and encouraging childrens emotional and intellectual development.
This practical guide identifies the child and their relationship with the adult as the basis upon which real communication can be made. Topics covered include non-verbal communication, attentive listening, empathy, the part played by questions, working constructively with conflict and criticism, and communicating in groups. It also draws on the innovative ideas found in social pedagogic theory and practice, such as communicating with your head, hands and heart and how to differentiate between the personal, the professional and the private in your interactions. The book contains exercises, topics for personal reflection or group discussion, and suggestions for observations.
This will be an excellent source of advice and ideas for all those in the childrens workforce including early years professionals, teachers, social workers, counsellors and practitioners working with children in care, including foster carers.
Pat Petrie is Professor of Education at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, UK, where she leads the Centre for Understanding Social Pedagogy (CUSP). Her interests lie in social and educational policy and practice towards children in the UK and elsewhere, with a strong focus on social pedagogy. Her work has included research into play and childcare, services for disabled children and their families, the place of creativity and the arts in social pedagogy, and children in residential and foster care. She is part of the team at the Thomas Coram Research Unit carrying out the Department of Education-funded pilot project investigating the impact of a social pedagogic approach in residential child care. Her publications attract national and international attention.
Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1 Interpersonal communication and social pedagogy. 2. Preverbal communication. 3. Careful listening. 4 Being an encouraging listener. 5. Feedback. 6. Reflecting feelings. 7. Communications about yourself. 8. Questions. 9 Messages about power, messages about equality. 10. Conflict: when you are criticised. 11. Conflict: confronting problems. 12. Communicating in groups and meetings. 13. Confidentiality. 14. Interpersonal communication in childrens services overview. References. Index.
People who are new to working with children and young people, and those interested in understanding and developing social pedagogical practice, will find that Petries Communication Skills for Working with Children and Young People provides excellent foundational reading, with related topics to reflect on and suggestions for activities to test out some of the theories and concepts... Petries narrative voice speaks well to less experienced practitioners by clearly explaining the concepts and ideas, and examining them in different practice settings and situations.
