Building Bridges through Words

"Words, language, communication, and expression all create an intricate web: at the center, on the fringe, and woven into the web is the relationship," observes Laura Mickley in her Exchange article, "Building Bridges through Words," which serves as the basis for the Exchange Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name. She continues...

"The words you choose and how you use them either facilitates positive, effective relationships with children and families or impedes those relationships. As early care and education professionals, it is our responsibility to express an interest in families and ­children. We need to acknowledge children and families’ strengths and the ways in which they are effective. When working with ­children, we need to accept the presumptions that all people are basically good, and families want what is best for their children. Upon those presumptions we can build a relationship, the very foundation of which is communication. New children and families will look to you to set the tone. Effective, positive communication will help to build that base. Positive and affirming words will make you approachable.

"Building these relationships with ­children and families starts at registration and continues with each inter­action. We need to express an interest in the whole family, point out their strengths at opportune moments while using communication to establish that foundation."

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