2.3 Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
Establishing a respectful, professional relationship with children and young people
In order to develop a positive relationship with children and young people the Teaching Assistant needs to show they are friendly, approachable and have an interest in talking to the children they are working with. This involves showing good body language, smiling, maintaining eye contact and displaying active listening, such as responding appropriately, asking additional relevant questions and showing empathy. Also children need time to speak without the adult been distracted.
When speaking to children and young people the language and tone used needs to be age appropriate, and be clear and concise. The Teaching Assistant also needs to show politeness and courtesy. This shows respect and also sets a good example to the child or young person as to how you’d expect them to speak to others.
As the Teaching Assistant you need to remain professional by maintaining consistency and treating all children equally. Situations may arise where a child they know will be in the setting or the Teaching Assistant will have ‘favourites’. Conversely, there may be children with a reputation for displaying poor behaviour or who are more difficult to engage in conversation with. However, all children need to be given the opportunity to speak and also need to be spoken to in an appropriate manner.
How to behave appropriately for a child or young person’s stage of development
The child’s stage of development effects how we need to behave and communicate with them. The vocabulary and tone of voice used will change as the child matures. For example the Teaching Assistant will tend to use a softer, more gentle tone with younger children. This may be especially true when dealing with poor behaviour where a calm approach is required. In this situation regard also needs to be taken to whether the child is aware that what they are doing is wrong – young children may not be familiar with school rules, may not
In order to develop a positive relationship with children and young people the Teaching Assistant needs to show they are friendly, approachable and have an interest in talking to the children they are working with. This involves showing good body language, smiling, maintaining eye contact and displaying active listening, such as responding appropriately, asking additional relevant questions and showing empathy. Also children need time to speak without the adult been distracted.
When speaking to children and young people the language and tone used needs to be age appropriate, and be clear and concise. The Teaching Assistant also needs to show politeness and courtesy. This shows respect and also sets a good example to the child or young person as to how you’d expect them to speak to others.
As the Teaching Assistant you need to remain professional by maintaining consistency and treating all children equally. Situations may arise where a child they know will be in the setting or the Teaching Assistant will have ‘favourites’. Conversely, there may be children with a reputation for displaying poor behaviour or who are more difficult to engage in conversation with. However, all children need to be given the opportunity to speak and also need to be spoken to in an appropriate manner.
How to behave appropriately for a child or young person’s stage of development
The child’s stage of development effects how we need to behave and communicate with them. The vocabulary and tone of voice used will change as the child matures. For example the Teaching Assistant will tend to use a softer, more gentle tone with younger children. This may be especially true when dealing with poor behaviour where a calm approach is required. In this situation regard also needs to be taken to whether the child is aware that what they are doing is wrong – young children may not be familiar with school rules, may not