The Communication Climate
Purpose: Participants will work in teams to analyze how their program's overall environment supports strong staff-parent communication.
Materials
Handout 16, pens
Process
Begin by stating that Head Start staff and parents exchange a lot of information
in a variety of ways - in brief chats and long conversations, in face-to-face
meetings and over the telephone, in group meetings and in one-on-one conferences,
to name a few. The program environment can contribute to the effectiveness of
these exchanges. This activity looks at ways the program supports this ongoing
process.
Break participants into groups of three. Give each group a copy of Handout 16, Creating a Climate for Communication. Have each group complete the handout together.
Debriefing
When all of the small groups have completed the handout, reconvene the large
group. Ask one of the small groups to describe the idea it explored for promoting
effective communication, as well as the options they brainstormed. Then encourage
the other participants to contribute feed back.
Repeat this process for each of the small groups.
| Trainer Preparation Notes: Encourage participants to reflect on their list of ways that programs already are promoting effective communication (from Part 1 of this exercise). Some of these successes may be useful examples to share with other programs exploring similar strategies. |