Communication: Get your message across

Caregivers interact with a variety of people and age groups. Children are often the primary focus but to provide the

best care possible, it is important that providers also be able to communicate with parents and other family members

as well as with colleagues and the community. Below are some suggestions to make the most of interactions.

Communicate with colleagues

Communication among those

you work with should be a

priority. Working in a child care

setting is almost like being

in a family and sometimes

communication becomes very

casual. However, it is important

to have a communication

system and to meet as a group.

Time to meet and discuss ideas,

problems, and plans should

be a priority and done on a

consistent, routine basis.

When discussing issues or

differences in approaches with

colleagues remember:

• Children are the priority.

• Everyone does not view the

world as you do.

• Children model your

communication.

• You are a professional.

Build a team with parental communication

Many providers feel unprepared

to communicate with parents

yet creating a welcoming,

open-door policy from the

beginning helps parents and

providers work together to

support the child. Encourage

positive parental relationships

by including parents. A positive

welcome and a smile lets

parents know they are valued.

Provide written communication

to share information about

what you are doing and what

you plan to do. Invite parents

to contribute ideas, time, and

talent as they are able. Share

expectations ahead of time. Try

to share positive observations

of each child frequently.

Gain parental trust by being

professional and confidential.

Creating this positive

relationship from the start

makes it much easier to discuss

difficult issues should they arise.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Child care providers are faced

with many decisions each day.

The NAEYC Code of Ethical

Conduct provides a good

foundation for providers to

use when making decisions

related to children, colleagues,

parents, and the community.

Many of the guidelines speak

to communication. This is one

tool that all early care providers

should become familiar with,

depend on, and refer to often

when faced with questions

related to communication and

ethics in the workplace. The

Code of Ethical Conduct can be

found here.

Talk with children

Positive communication helps young children learn how to communicate,

discover the world around them, and build relationships and vocabulary.

Make the most of these interactions.

• Understand the ages and stages of development to set appropriate

expectations when speaking with children.

• Be available to children.

• Get down to the child’s eye level.

• Spend time listening to children.

• Be positive and encouraging.

• Read to children.

• Talk about what interests the child.

• Build vocabulary by using new words.

• Extend communication through music, art, and dramatic play.

• Encourage and model positive communication between children.

• Use written words around the classroom to draw a link between verbal

and written communication.

• Use visual cues such as signing or signaling to enhance communication.

• Use appropriate grammar.

• Ask open-ended questions.

Why ask open-ended questions?

Open-ended questions

require more than a yes or no

answer, encouraging deeper

communication. Using open-

ended questions helps:

• adults learn what the

child is thinking. It is often

surprising to see just how

creatively a child is thinking

about something.

• a child develop language.

There are no right or wrong

answers when a child can

explain what he is thinking.

• children learn problem-

solving skills. Children are

encouraged to discuss ideas

and options.

extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcareThis publication is available in alternative media on request.

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Extension is implied. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. This resource is for educational purposes. You may not use this material for commercial purpose or economic gain.

© 2021 The Pennsylvania State University Activities1605.indd