Activity 2-2:
Communication Helpers

Purpose: This activity focuses on identifying techniques that help keep a conversation open and productive.

Materials
Handout 4, page 3 of Handout 3 (optional)

Process
Introduce the activity by saying that knowing how to respectfully open up communication is an important skill for everyone in the Head Start community. This skill also can help staff communicate well in their own families and in other personal relationships.

Distribute Handout 4, Communication Helpers and Blockers. Read through it with participants.
Then direct the participants to read the sample dialogue. Have them mark the communication helpers with an "H" and the blockers with a "B."

After the communication helpers and blockers have been identified, ask the participants for suggestions on how they would rewrite the story to change the blockers to helpers.

For added practice if there is time, have participants repeat the exercise using the Staff-Parent Conversation that appears on page 3 of Handout 3.

Debriefing
Summarize the session by noting that successful communication is an art that one acquires through practice. The first step is to be familiar with the tools that can help keep a conversation open and productive, and to consciously apply them. Successful communicators also learn to recognize when their statements or behavior could be blocking a conversation, and to replace these negative elements with communication helpers.

In closing, ask the participants to each choose one communication helper that they will try to use as much. as possible in the next week.


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