Principal’s Message Newsletter

APRIL

Communicating through Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing

Recently I read an article that spoke about the tools of communication and how as parents and teachers we can help our children become effective communicators. Effective communication between adult and child is enhanced when we use the tools of listening, reflecting, sharing and discussing. But to become effective communicators throughout our children’s lives, we need to address the importance of teaching the four skills of effective communicators: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Listening plays a crucial role in maturation and understanding of the world. It is an important way for our children to develop knowledge about feelings and thoughts of others. Children are able to respond to others in part because they are able to listen to them and to understand the messages which are communicated.

Listening is central to most learning experiences. As parents we can help our children develop better listening skills by actively listening to them daily. We need to let them know that what they have to say is really important – even when it might interrupt something we are doing. We need to look, act and be interested without interrupting or being distracted and expect our children to do the same when we are talking.

Speaking is a way we make our most basic wants understood. It becomes the primary way in which we express our feelings and ideas throughout our lifetime. Helping our children develop the ability to communicate verbally is an important part of a parent’s job. Growth in the area of oral language comes from exposure to good models of oral language such as parents, teachers, friends. Empowering our children to express their ideas and feelings by speaking clearly, confidently and effectively is an important task o the school and home.

Reading is an essential aid in developing communication skills. Reading to and with your children can never start to early. Even after your children are able to read for themselves, it is still enjoyable to be read to. Seeing parents reading their own books as well as reading together serves as a powerful and positive model. Research indicates that the amount of reading that students do at school is positively related to overall reading achievement.

Writing is the fourth skill our students need for effective communication. Models for written language come from exposure to all types of books and opportunities to read and see printed text. Writing establishes a method through which our children may express themselves, organize information, communicate feeling and demonstrate understanding of subject mater. Through writing, our children become more interested in what they are learning and are better able to grasp the concept presented.

Learning the art of effective communication is one of the most powerful ways we can show our love and help our children succeed in life.

---Dr. Steele