Question
Interview ONE person (a co-worker, a family member, or a friend)about their communication experience with children. Ask them to: a. Describe a time when they felt when the child wasn't listening b. Describe a wonderful conversation with a child c. Describe a conversation with a co-worker, family member, or friend that was misunderstood d. Describe a conversation where the other person used active listening to help a child solve a problen e. Add anything else you would like to ask based on what you learned in the session
Solution
4.6
(339 Votes)
Horatio
Expert · Tutor for 3 years
Answer
I interviewed my friend, Sarah, about her communication experiences with children.**a. A time when the child wasn't listening:**Sarah described a time when she was trying to explain to her five-year-old niece why she couldn't have a second cookie before dinner. Sarah explained the importance of eating a healthy meal first, and that dessert comes afterward. Her niece, however, continued to plead, whine, and interrupt, fixated on the desired cookie and seemingly not processing anything Sarah said. Sarah felt frustrated because she felt her niece wasn't respecting her and wasn't valuing what she was trying to explain.**b. A wonderful conversation with a child:**Sarah recounted a conversation with the same niece a few weeks later. They were walking in a park, and her niece started asking questions about the different types of trees and flowers they saw. Sarah, who enjoys gardening, happily shared her knowledge, and her niece listened intently, asking follow-up questions and making observations. Sarah felt a strong connection with her niece during this conversation, appreciating her curiosity and the joy of shared learning.**c. A conversation with a co-worker, family member, or friend that was misunderstood:**Sarah described a miscommunication with her husband. She asked him to pick up "milk" from the store, assuming he knew she meant their usual almond milk. He came back with cow's milk. It turned out he hadn't realized they were out of almond milk and thought she just wanted extra milk in general. This led to a brief, slightly irritated exchange before they clarified the misunderstanding.**d. A conversation where the other person used active listening to help a child solve a problem:**Sarah observed her sister helping her son work through a conflict with a friend. Her son was upset because his friend had broken a toy they were playing with. Instead of dismissing his feelings or offering immediate solutions, Sarah's sister listened carefully to her son's explanation, asking clarifying questions like, "So you felt angry when he dropped the toy?" and "What did you do after that?" By actively listening and reflecting his emotions, Sarah's sister helped her son calm down and articulate what he needed – an apology from his friend and a plan to fix the broken toy.**e. Additional questions based on the session:**Based on Sarah's experiences, I asked her the following:* "Do you think your communication style changes depending on the age of the child?"* "What strategies have you found helpful in getting children to listen more effectively?"* "How do you handle situations where a child's emotions are escalating due to a miscommunication or misunderstanding?"This interview provided valuable insights into the complexities and nuances of communicating with children and how these skills can translate to adult interactions as well.