Week 4 Blog

What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why?

The one thing that surprised me the most was the fact that my communications between my daughter and I were not as positive as they are with my friends, neighbors, and strangers. My daughter shared an eye opener with me. She shared how I am not a good listener to her and answer her questions very quickly so that I can continue with what I am already doing. When she shared this info with me, I was immediately convicted because I often am busy and do give her short and quick answers so that I can continue on assignments or projects that I am in the middle of. After evaluating my daughter’s responses, I did set a goal to speak with my daughter and my family to share how much I do love them and to also come up with a schedule that fits with each of our various work and school schedules so that we can have the time to sit and discuss concerns of ours. I do not want for my family time to be time-oriented but with the busy work and school schedules that my family and I have, we have no choice but to schedule time off or away from school and work so that we can catch up on the important things in our lives.

 

What other insights about communication did you gain this week?

Another insight that I gained was the fact that as a communicator, it is very important that we evaluate our communications or interactions with others. Taking a look from the outside would help us to recognize areas that need improvement. Getting the input from others regarding communication styles, is a great way to start. With the feedback of others, it allows communicators to make the necessary changes to improve their communication skills. This will definitely help me as a mother, wife, and educator to see where I may be missing the mark in my communications with my family, students, and families.

 

 

Blog Assignment 3 - Communications

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures? If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

To be honest, I communicate with all cultures in the same way. In my communications, I am open and a good listener. I understand the importance of the right of others opinions, cultural ways and beliefs, difference in languages and communication styles, and respect all cultures equally. When I communicate with different cultures, I am friendly, speak clearly so that they are able to understand what I am communicating, and do make eye contact to show that I am truly listening to them. What I have noticed is that my communications do differ when I’m in the company of particular people. Nothing negative though! When I am communicating with co-workers or my supervisor, my communications slightly change and are more serious. It’s not that I can only communicate in a serious nature but out of respect and to keep my professional status, I try to keep all communications professional. When I am in communications with my family members, close colleagues, husband and children, I feel more relaxed and comfortable in my conversations/communications. My grammar, style of communicating, and body language may change slightly. Again, it changes only because I am in a more comfortable, personal, and relaxed environment.

 

Blog Assingmnet 2 Communications Verbal/Nonverbal

The program that I chose to record and view was The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I am not that interested in the many reality television programs that have aired. My co-workers and peers are always trying to impel me to watch the program but I had not a chance until this assignment presented the opportunity. When I first began watching the program with no volume it appeared that all of the characters were always in discussion about something of great interest. There were scenes in the program where there was a man and woman sitting and talking then becoming very intimate with one another. There was a scene where there appeared to be some feuding or disagreement between two females.  A totally different scene showed 4 women who met up at a restaurant enjoying their lunch with lots of laughter.  Most of the scenes looked to be very serious with communications and back and forth discussions taking place.

The feelings that I did observe were feelings of disappointment, anger, unhappiness, happiness, and enjoyment. The feeling of disappointment was assumed because of an older woman and a younger woman’s facial expressions while they talked. Their faces were drooped and saddened. The feelings of anger were assumed because there was some sort of back and forth yelling and lots of body language and arm and hand movements. The feelings of happiness and enjoyment were assumed when the man and woman were close and became intimate with one another. Happiness was assumed because one scene shared a group of woman eating together and smiling and laughing with each other. 

Once I re-viewed the program with the volume, my assumptions were exactly as I assumed earlier. There were many arguments and confrontations taking place between the women. Simply stated it was truly a bunch of drama between all of the characters up until the end of the program when the ladies met for a lunch and enjoyed each other’s company. As I viewed the program with volume, I realized why I had not had a great interest in the reality television programs.

If I were watching a more well know program, I believe that my assumptions would have been the same. Body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and hand movements are all ways of reading a person’s message. It’s funny but today my husband and I went to the beach and he noticed how I was observing the people in our passing during lunch and as we walked the pier. He say’s “I notice that you people watch”. My response was that I enjoy watching individuals and trying to figure out what they are thinking, feeling, and how they respond to different situations. As an educator, I have been trained to observe children on a daily basis and it’s kind of stuck with me even outside of the classroom. Again, a world of messages can be relayed without any verbal conversation taking place.

This assignment only has aligned with my prior knowledge of how people communicate with one another. Communications do not always have to be verbal. I often like to play Pictionary with my students. I like to either draw out something or even act out something to see if they are able to guess what the message is. Nine times out of ten, my students are able to figure out the message that I am sending out.  My “aha” moments is the fact that by simply observing a person, one will be able to receive the message from the sender. This was an enjoyable assignment and like I mentioned it clarifies why I “people watch”.

Blog Assignment 1 - Someone Who Demonstrates Competent Communication

When I think of individual who demonstrate competent communications, I can't help but think of two awesome men of God Bishop T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen. These two men are preachers of the gospel and share the word of God with millions of people on a weekly basis. Often on Sunday mornings or afternoons, I have the opportunity to listen in on the messages that these two men communicate before many different cultures of people.

Of the two men, I chose Joel Osteen. Joel Osteen has a certain way that he delivers his sermons to his audience and home viewers. He speaks in a very soft tone, he always has a smile on his face, and his choice words are always encouraging and uplifting. When Joel Osteen speaks, his body posture is very calm. He normally takes his time if he decides to leave the podium. Mr. Osteen is just a very calm and relaxing speaker. He hardly ever gets very loud or uses many wild hand gestures.

Joel Osteen communication behaviors are effective because of his demeanor. The demeanor he has captures the attention of his listeners to where they have no choice but to tune in to the words that are coming from his mouth. If I were a public speaker in a forum such as a church, I do believe that I would love to model the same communication behaviors as Joel Osteen. I have seen how effective his speaking has been with his calm demeanor and soft tone.

Bishop T.D. Jakes is a very powerful man of God and delivers his sermons and messages in a total different way.  Bishop Jakes uses many different facial expressions, body languages, choice words that also capture the attention of his listeners and viewers.

What I have learned, is the fact that all audiences or listeners are not exactly the same types of group and speakers have to adjust their delivery methods to meet the need of the type of audience they are presented with.  

Professional Hopes and Goals

The one hope that I have when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is the hope for unity and equality of ALL people regardless of one’s diversity. Often I do witness particular groups of individuals working cohesively with their same group of people and not giving other diverse groups a chance for the same opportunities. As an educator and advocate, I want for each of my students and families to receive the same opportunities as any other person or culture. I believe in togetherness because when the nation works together as one, we are so much stronger as a nation. I believe that we all have special gifts and qualities that will enhance our communities, cities, states, countries, and nations. Togetherness!!!!

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is the goal of not forgetting what I have learned during this course. To also apply my learning in my personal life, work life and relationships with my peers. This course was jam-packed with many resources that allowed me to take a good look into myself as an individual, a look at the many different isms and the detriment effects they have on others, and also a look into how I can be a stronger advocate for children and families of diversity. Diversity is my specialized study for this program and I have a sincere passion for working with diverse families. Working with diverse children and families has been so rewarding for me. I have learned so much from my day-to-day interactions with my students and families.

As this course nears to the end, I would like to say THANK YOU to each of my colleagues for sharing their personal diversities, wisdom, expertise, and kindness. Each of your postings, comments, and blogs has only enriched my knowledge of diversity. It has definitely allowed me to understand diversity from a different aspect other than my own. My hope is for each of you to achieve all of your goals and aspirations that you have with your careers and advocacy work.

Cotati Thomas-Crompton