A skilled Communicator

When I think of someone who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context it would be my mother. I have never heard my mother raise her voice or even say a harsh word. My mom’s particular context would be our home. When you are growing up you learn from what you experience and that home life experience is a powerful influence on how you communicate and behave towards others. My mother taught me, by her actions, that communicating in a calm mellow tone helps to sooth and relax the listener. When we become upset, anxious, or irritated we raise our voice and encourage the listener to respond in the same manner. My mother taught me that a softer voice calms others and this is so true when working with children. A quiet voice quiets the children and gets their attention. I truly model my mother’s communication skills and techniques especially with my own children and the children in my classroom. With my own children I slip from time to time; I am not as good as my mother. My mom told me that she tape recorded herself when we were younger and she didn’t like what she heard so she decided to never raise her voice again. We model and learn from our parents and I am very glad that I learned a positive communication skill from my mother.