Identify ways to strengthen communication in families.

Identification should include

  • describing the characteristics of effective and ineffective communication
  • identifying appropriate times, settings, and circumstances to communicate with family members
  • determining personal communication style
  • determining communication skills that encourage constructive family interactions
  • identifying strategies to improve speaking and listening skills
  • identifying strategies to help the family move to a deeper level of communication.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

  • How often are you misunderstood at school? Among friends? By the family? At work? Why do these misunderstandings occur?
  • Why do some families communicate better than others?
  • How can a family strengthen their communication skills?
  • What communication resources are available to a family?
  • How can technology encourage or inhibit communication?
  • Why is it important to recognize when communication patterns are escalating toward a negative outcome?
  • Why is it beneficial to take a time-out when a discussion is escalating toward a negative outcome?

Communication

  • What can be done to clarify messages?
  • What factors might cause a family to move to a different level of communication?
  • Why is it important to think about the ways people communicate?
  • Why is it important to communicate feelings? How can feelings be effectively communicated?
  • What are the most appropriate times, settings, and/or circumstances to communicate concerns?

Leadership

  • What is the relationship between leadership and communication?
  • Why is it important for a leader to be a good communicator?
  • What are the risks in seeking to communicate on a different level?
  • How can communication skills help you respond in positive ways?
  • How can a leader improve their listening skills?

Management

  • How can strategies be developed that encourage a deeper level of communication within the family?
  • What resources can be used to improve family communication?
  • What communication skills encourage constructive family interaction?
  • What attitude and skills are needed to be an effective communicator?