Home visitor competence requires an ability to communicate. Effective communication begins with home visitors having a clear understanding of their role. Parents' strengths, needs, interests, and attitudes should be considered when planning what to say. In addition, home visitors must consider what they want to accomplish with the communication-establish rapport, provide direction, obtain information, solve a problem, promote change in a parent's attitude, or reinforce a parent's actions. Accomplishing one of these is difficult; doing them all at once is impossible. Therefore, home visitors need to know something about parents' strengths, needs and interests as well as their goals before discussing issues with them.
While words are the primary vehicle for communication, other factors are important, as well.
Timing is key. Ask yourself:
- Is now the best time to discuss Tanya's immunization schedule, or can this wait until the family's housing crisis is solved?
The physical setting must be considered. Ask yourself:
- Should this discussion best take place privately, out of the child's hearing?
- If I am going to support Mom, should I sit on one side while her child sits on the other?
Cultural sensitivity is important. Ask yourself:
- What are my feelings about eye contact? ..about the families?
- Whom in the family should I speak with about this problem?
Body language either facilitates the communication or acts as a barrier. Ask your self:
- What are my facial expressions?
- Do I appear to be receptive to what this parent is telling me?
The videotape includes many examples of home visitors taking into account timing, physical setting, cultural sensitivity, and body language as they talk with parents, children, and others.
- What examples of these factors did you see in the videotape?
- How do you consider timing, the physical setting, cultural sensitivity, and body language as you plan communications with others?
In addition, A Partnership with Parents includes
examples of various communication skills that home visitors use when they
speak with others. As you view the video tape, look for examples of the
following communication skills and record them in the blank boxes on a
photocopy of the following chart.
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| Informal conversation |
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| Providing direction |
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| Asking questions, obtaining information |
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| Giving information, making referrals |
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| Mutual problem solving |
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| Encouraging, reinforcing, supporting |
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Read Chapter One, "The Role of The Home Visitor," in The Head Start Home Visitor Handbook
- Read Multicultural Principles for Head Start Programs
- Request and participate in training that addresses effective communication skills
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