Quote:
Originally Posted by cuffy2
Hi, need some help with this as i'm suffering a complete mental block 
"Explain how people from different backgounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways."
Any help would be very much appreciated  thanks |
Hi
This may give you some starter points:
Communicating is a form of sharing information (verbally or other means).
• Non verbal communication (visual signs or gestures, gestures can play a big part if English is an additional language. If a child has speech delays it is very important to use visual aids e.g. visual timetable, Pecs, sign-a-long).
• Eye contact (no eye contact in some cases due to cultural beliefs.)
• Touch (babies and some toddlers touch can be very important. Try holding out a hand to see if it is accepted. Depends on religion).
• Physical gestures (again important to babies and small children). When using any signs make sure that they are appropriate for the individual concerned. Point to objects etc.
• Body language (different ways of body language e.g. tapping fingers means you could be bored. Hands at the side of you could signal that you are relaxed. Crossed arms could give signals that you are cross.)
• Facial expressions (very important part of communicating e.g. smiling could mean your warmth/peace especially for babies. Sad, happy, angry, surprised etc).
• Verbal communication (English as an additional language, use words and expressions that they understand, Use simple clear vocabulary that they understand also use gestures at the same time if needed. If a child has speech delays it is important again to use gestures or some kind of visual aid e.g. Pecs, sign-a-long).
• Linguistic tone (babies and children are very sceptical to the changes of the tones of voices
• Pitch (babies seem to like a higher pitch of voice, us adults sometimes find it annoying.).
People who do not speak English as a first language should be given plenty of time to respond, sometimes repeating, slowing down or recasting sentences until they understand us.
Lynne