Communicating with Children Flashcards
why is communication so important?
99% of success when it comes to children
What are the golden rules when communicating with children?
Children are unique physically, emotionally, and mentally
- Be honest
- Answer questions directly
- It’s ok to say “I don’t know”
- Don’t ask for permission (“Can I take your temperature?” “I’m going to give you a medicine now, OK?”) instead, state what you are going to do
- Explain everything you do
What is the role of Growth and Development?
- To effectively communicate with children, you must understand growth and development.
- Normal psychosocial and cognitive development affect how children understand and process information; therefore, how you present information and approach a child is 100% dependent upon a child’s developmental level
- What does this mean? Think Erikson and Piaget (think waaaaay back)! We are going to review these theories and stages, and talk about how to use them to communicate with children.
What is a Child Life Specialist?
- “Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events. Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities….. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress” (Child Life Council, Inc.)
- In the hospital setting, Child Life Specialists help with things like teaching, pain management, procedural distractions, compliance issues, and behavioral management.
What is the associated stage based on Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Theory for the Infant?
- Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Trust v Mistrust (birth-1 yr)
Distinguish b/n Erikson’s and Piaget’s theory?
Erikson - social interaction & relationships - how they affect development
Piaget - cognitive - thinking and how knowledge is acquired
Why is caregiver meeting infant needs important? (Erikson)
consistently meeting basic needs of infant = develop trust
unstable caregiver = anxiety, fear and mistrust
What are major infant stressors?
- Separation from parents (separation or stranger anxiety)
- Impaired trust
When does stranger anxiety begin/end?
Begins = 6 months
Peaks = 8 months
Lasts until about 18 months
What are the key takeaways about infant communication?
- Responds best to calm, soothing voice
- Avoid abrupt movements; advance slowly
- Limit stranger presence (separation or stranger anxiety begins at 6 months, peaks at 8 months, and can last up to 18 months)
- PARENTS PROVIDE THE BEST SOURCE OF COMFORT
What are some Communication Strategies Based on Developmental Theory for the Toddler?
-
Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Autonomy v Shame (1-3 yr)
- Develops independence and self-control
- Negativism
- Offer choices
- Repetition/rituals
- Get on eye level
- Praise
- Give a job to do (this will give them control/autonomy) - let them pick their own outfits etc, neg outcomes if you don’t let them express: self-doubt, inadequacy
-
Piaget’s Cognitive Development: Preoperational (2-7 yr) symbolic function substage
- Differentiates self from others and objects
- Experiments with behaviors
- Objects have characteristics (can imitate and substitute in play) - Animism
- Repetition
- Short, concrete terms
- No reasoning (unable to reason at this age)
What are some major toddler stressors?
- Separation from family
- Loss of control
- Restriction of movement
What are key takeaways about toddlers?
- Signature phrase is “No!”
- Offer choices, make sure the choices are viable (“Do you want to take the pink medicine or the white medicine first?” NOT “Do you want to take your medicine now or later?”)
- Rituals are very important
- Use the 5 senses to explain things (what it will look, sound, smell, feel, and taste like)
- They have a limited concept of time so teach right before a procedure and emphasize when it will end
- They are very literal so watch your words!!
What are some Communication Strategies Based on Developmental Theory for the Preschooler?
-
Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Initiative v Guilt (3-6 yr)
- Likes to please others, eager to learn
- Initiates many activities but never finishes
- Feels a sense of accomplishment when successful self-confidence
- Offer choices
- Tell them how to cooperate
- Let them handle equipment
- Get on eye level
- ENDLESS QUESTION help sense of self confidence: need to be able to interact with others,
- parents need to avoid over-controlling behaviors, need to be supportive of preschoolers (don’t kill ambition and initiative, leads to guilt, stifles creativity)
-
Piaget’s Cognitive Development: Preoperational (4-7 yr) intuitive thought substage
- Self-centered understanding of the world (egocentrism); can only approach a problem from their point of view
- Transductive reasoning - create a connection between 2 events that occur at the same time even though there is nothing in common
- Magical thinking
- Imaginary friend
What are major preschool stressors?
- Mutilation (fear that their insides will leak out with injury or bleeding)
- Punishment (magical thinking: they cause events to happen)
- Loss of competence (initiative)
