Activity 1-2:
Communication Stories
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to help participants recognize that they also can use positive statements as a way to "open the door" to more effective communication with parents at Head Start.
Materials
Handout 1
Process
Distribute Handout 1, Communication Stories. Read together the two examples
of positive staff and parent communication. Then direct the participants to
write down a similar story from their own experience at Head Start. As an alternative
to writing, participants can work in pairs to share their stories with each
other. Each participant's story should answer these questions.
- What did someone say or so that let you know you made a difference?
- How did this communication make you feel?
- How did this communication affect how you saw yourself?
- How did this communication affect your participation in Head Start?
Ask participants to share their communication stories. Talk about how great it was that they bad such positive experiences. Emphasize that just as receiving positive communications enabled them to feel valued and move forward with contributions they wanted to make, giving positive feedback enables others to do likewise. Encourage participants to put positive communications into practice by:
- Observing what is positive about others
- Taking the time to send affirming messages
- Responding to positive messages that others send them
- Reflecting on the effects of positive communications