The Effective Communicator

When I think of someone who is a competent and effective communicator, I remember two professors that I had at the University of Puerto Rico when I did my bachelor's degree, Dr. Torrech, and Dr. Martinez. Both were professionals, competent, committed, and leaders in the early childhood field. They had a Ph.D. in early childhood education, and both were the authors of a book they wrote on a preschool curriculum.

Dr. Torrech and Dr. Martinez offered several bachelor's concentration courses in preschool education and were also supervisors of teaching practice. Both were effective communicators, sensitive, empathetic, and role models. They knew how to communicate instructions and what they expected from each work or assignment. They were very fluent in explaining and presenting different topics in their classes. They also offered words of support and admiration when we did our jobs well. In addition, they were flexible and understanding if we had personal situations that made it difficult for us to do our work; they always listened to us attentively and offered suggestions. As O'Hair et al. (2018) state, communication is a two-way street, and listening is a crucial part of the process. To communicate effectively, you need to be thoughtful about what you are saying, remain silent at times, and use listening skills and appropriate nonverbal behaviors (O'Hair et al., 2018).

Without a doubt, my former college professors are role models of what it is like to be a committed early childhood professional and an effective and competent communicator. I learned a lot from them, and they inspire me to be a better educator and emulate them. Whenever we communicate with others, we influence them in some way, and at the same time, we are influenced by others. Every conversation or interaction we have changes us (and the other person), even if only in some small way, as it adds to our life experience (O'Hair et al., 2018). O'Hair et al. (2018) mentioned that although we are certainly born with some ability to communicate, most of the skills we need to be effective communicators must be learned. The best communicators never stop learning (O'Hair et al., 2018).

 

Reference

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.