How do I let my students and children know that I care for them?

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
CONSISTS OF
Body motion
Orientation of body
Gestures
Touch
Facial expressions
Paralinguistic (Vocal behaviors)

Authentic adults gain childrens trust because

children know that their words and nonverbal
reactions are believable, (Kostelnik p. 77).

If you want to communicate

that you care for a child
EXUDE WARMTH
Approach child and interact closely

Why nonverbal
communication?
Only a small portion of the
message is communicated by
vocal characteristics and most by
facial expression, (Kostelnik p. 76).

Maintain frequent eye contact

Face child directly
The term one-upmanship is descriptive
Keep head at level of child
both visually and in meaning. The position of
Smile and nod
being higher, or on the top, denotes status,
Have a relaxed facial expression
authority, or power. The position of being
SHOW ACCEPTANCE
Forward lean
lower denotes incapacity, humility, or servility.
Open body and arms
Moving to diminish the vertical space
Touch
between adults and children signals that an
Vocal variety and expressiveness
important message is about to be conveyed,
BE GENUINE
(Kostelnik p. 67).
Match nonverbal behavior with words
Sincerely comment
HAVE EMPATHY
Convey interest
GIVE RESPECT
Be attentive to childs ideas
Give child opportunity to try things on his own
Believe they can do it
Listen quietly and politely
Provide time for child to communicate
Body Positions
Face-to-face: most direct, greeting, comforting, fighting,
conversing intimately
Side-by-side: companionship, togetherness, united front
Back-to-back: disengagement, hostility, for protection

How is the woman on the right using nonverbal

communication to communicate with the other girl?

*The information herein was acquired from Guiding Childrens Social Development and Learning by Marjorie J. Kostelnik, Kara Murphy Gregory, Anne K.
Soderman, and Alice Phipps Whiren.