1. In this particular group of children what factors will influence the language style used by the staff members when interacting with the children?
Hi - I am doing the exact assignment, I struggled throughout it! These are some of the answers I got. If I could get feedback on them that would be sick! Thanks
• Cultural influences
- Corazon recently migrated from Brazil
- Belinda, Aboriginal, dialectic form of English
- Chaminda, potential Indian culture
• Who you are speaking to
- Kathy, extremely bright, high academic ability (developmental level)
- Catriona, very quiet and withdrawn
• Do not use stereotypical or gender specific language, use inclusive language.
- Bill like to dress up and dance to all kind of music
- Mel lives with mother and grandmother
- Robert has cerebral palsy
- Monique plays rough and tumble games
2. How could staff ensure that they are using appropriate and respectful verbal and non-verbal forms of communication with all the children?
• Many children come from multi cultural backgrounds. Non-verbal communication is regularly the easiest way to get you message across. Strategies you can use to support this includes:
- Researching different ways of using non-verbal communication
- Have all staff member using the same methods (i.e. hand gestures) of non-verbal communication so those children can begin to understand what you are implying
- Ask the parents of the children and find out simple words and phrases in their home language that you can use to communicate with the child.
- Display visual images around the room, at different areas (for e.g., in the bathroom, a picture above the toilet of a child flushing the toilet, a picture of a child near the sink washing their hands etc) so the child can visually understand what they need to do.
3. Outline how Jelena explain to Sandra all of the reasons why her comments are not appropriate and:
- How they could impact negatively in the self-esteem of the children concerned.
- How they could influence her interactions with the children concerned.
Jelena could explain to Sandra that we all need to be conscious of our own language and try to be as inclusive as possible at all times. If Sandra uses language that is bias, stereotypes children or excludes them it will be damaging to their self-esteem. Inclusive language helps children feel that they belong to the group, recognizes and affirms that the children are first and for most and any distinguishing attributes are secondary to their status. By ensuring she monitors her language it will help gain the trust of the children.
4. Explain how you could talk positively about the differences within this group if children and promote the differences as resources rather than as problems.
– The role of a caregiver is to ensure that the development of children is not restricted because of their individual differences, it is important to respond positively to children who show an interest in difference. Modeling acceptance and being at ease in a situation will give the children a clear message about difference and similarities and how both should be valued. Discussing differences and similarities is important, paraphrase the child’s response and provide a role model of more respectful language. You could use persona dolls to discuss differences and similarities; you could also use drama, or talk to the children about their likes and dislike.