Reflection #1

     Making a difference in children's lives & building positive relationships through nonverbal communication are the two topics we have started learning about in my child guidance class. These two topics have been so interesting to me to learn about and have taught me things I'm excited to implement into how I teach my kids, and later others. Our first chapter "Making a Difference in Children's Lives" talked about how children have different learning styles. I never realized how much of an impact a child's style changes their learning. They may view what you are asking them to do differently depending on their style of learning. As I was learning about how styles effect children's learning it made me reflect upon my son (6) and how I teach him. I realized that even though I know him well I don't really know what way he learns best. The way I have been teaching him may not have been/ be the best way to teach him. Their might be another way that he would enjoy better and end up learning more.
     Our second chapter we learned about was "Building Positive Relationships Through Nonverbal Communications". Just like adults children have their different spaces. Respecting children's space can determine how a child responds to you. The way you respond can have a huge impact on how a child trusts you or thinks you feel about them. If a child comes and give you a hug and you jump away because you don't feel comfortable doing that can make a child feel like you don't like them. But on the other hand if you hug them back they know you really do care. I also learned that culture has a huge role in nonverbal behaviors. The children you work with may or may not be comfortable with your teaching ways. You need to be conscious of each child you work with and their background so you aren't doing something that turns their learning off. After learning more about nonverbal communication I am able to watch myself more carefully and know how the things I am doing will effect the children I'm around.