When there is a void in communication, negativity will fill it…
Our school recently began the process of exploring the 40 Developmental Assets and how they pertain to us as adults impacting students at school. One of the first discussions we had as a staff was exploring what the staff did well (strengths) and what we needed to work on (weaknesses). Part of the process of implementing the Assets is to know who you are as a person. Our staff shared many different things that we are doing well and shared areas that we need to improve. One of the main concerns of our staff was communication. Being the reflective person that I am, I have sought out how to remedy this situation knowing that communication is a two way street.
The first thing I did was compile a list of the different types of communication throughout the years. And by throughout, I mean ancient to present.
| OLD | NEW |
| Grunts | Language |
| Hieroglyphics, Cuneiform, Scrolls | Alphabet, Paper and Pen |
| Moveable Type | Siri and Dragon Dictation |
| Morse Code | Phonograph |
| Telegraph | Telephone |
| Pony Express | USPS and FedEX (similar to Pony Express) |
| Newspapers | Internet |
| Radio | Satellites |
This list is not all encompassing. For me it was a reminder about how communication has changed the way we interact. Communication sometimes had to be deciphered and other times took days to reach its recipient. I would say that there probably is some theory that says with the advancement in technology that communication improved. But did it really? Communication might have become more efficient, but did it improve? After all, at each end of the communication line there are humans operating the flow of information.
Despite all the advances in communication the world still has many problems directed associated with lack of communication. Can the same thing be said about schools? In an age where communication is paramount, it befuddles me as to how things are not communicated, or better yet, are not heard by others.
Growing up in a small community in rural Nebraska there seems to be less negative stories because people communicate in a positive manner. People take pride in their community and school. People want to hear about how well the Play Production team did at state or how the football team played Friday night. They do not want to get Facebook updates about student discipline.
My challenge to you is, “are you communicating with your kids the only way THEY know how, or the only way YOU know how?” Face to face communication hasn’t gone by the wayside…yet.