Communication Skills for Working With Children and Young People

For those working with children, effective communication is a crucial part of building relationships and encouraging children's emotional and intellectual development. This practical guide places the adult-child relationship at the heart of practice, and focuses on the child as a whole person aiming to support their overall development through strong relationships built around effective communication. Topics covered include non-verbal communication, how to deal with questions, conflict and criticism, and communicating in groups. It also draws on the innovative ideas found in social pedagogic theory, such as listening, reflection and teamwork, conveyed in an accessible way. The book contains exercises, topics for personal reflection or group discussion, and suggestions for observations. This will be a crucial text for all those in the children's workforce including early years professionals, teachers, social workers, counsellors and practitioners working with children in care.