Communicating with People from Other Cultures

As I reflect on how I communicate with different groups of people, I come to realize there is a difference.
When I communicate with my colleagues or within the workplace, I'm more formal and use high language.  I use terminology based on early education.  I make or use a lot of references to support my professional insight.  The majority of our interaction or communication is data base or research driven.

When I communicate with parents, I don't use as much educational jargon.  I tend to talk to them more in terms they can understand.  I talk to them from an academic perspective and a child development perspective.  I take the time to make sure they understand the information I present to them.

When I communicate with my family and friends, I use more informal and low language.  Most of our communication and interactions are not as politically correct and are less grammatically correct.  I don't self correct myself as much nor am I as formal with them.  I do engage in a lot more "slang" with them.

This week has taught me how to include diversity perspectives with working with families and their children.  I have gain a better understanding on cultural differences and how to take into account their beliefs in relation to early learning.  Learning to learn from some one's perspective will help me be more sensitive to what other cultures have to contribute within the learning community.  

The three strategies I chose to use to help me communicate with other cultures are:

1. When I don't understand something or something bothers me, before I respond/react, I will try to look at it from their perspective and seek a rational reason for it.  
2. I will try to withhold judgement until I have a deep enough understanding.
3. Increase my modeling strategies to help them develop the characteristic skills they need to be good citizens.  Showing them how to make better choices will go a lot farther than me just using dictation.