The Different Ways We Communicate
What’s inside...
This children’s book, 'The Different Ways We Communicate', explains the various forms of communication used by people, including spoken words, pictures, and sign language. It is designed for preschool and early elementary children and aims to normalize all the ways people express themselves to foster an inclusive environment. By discussing this topic openly, the book helps children understand and accept differences, making it a valuable addition to any home or school library to support discussions about autism and other disabilities.
Age
3-7
Length
31 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some ways you like to communicate with your friends and family?
Can you think of a time when someone misunderstood what you said? How did you fix the misunderstanding?
Why do you think it's important to use both words and actions to show how we feel?
If you met someone who couldn't speak your language, how would you try to communicate with them?
What did you learn about communication from the book that you didn't know before?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use examples from your own experiences with communication to relate to the scenarios in the book.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings as they relate to each method of communication discussed in the book.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection.
Create a fun role-playing game where you and your child use different styles of communication featured in the book.
At the end of the discussion, summarize together what has been learned and how it can be applied in daily interactions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse communication styles
Explanation: The book explores various ways people communicate, including verbal, nonverbal, and digital methods. Through colorful illustrations and engaging narrative, children see characters using different communication tools and styles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and respect that not everyone communicates in the same way. This awareness helps in fostering better interactions in school and in diverse social settings.
Example Lesson: Empathy and listening
Explanation: The narrative shows characters experiencing misunderstandings due to poor listening skills. It emphasizes the importance of listening attentively to understand others better.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop their interpersonal skills by encouraging them to listen carefully in conversations, leading to deeper empathy and understanding amongst peers.
Example Lesson: Expressing oneself clearly
Explanation: Characters in the story learn to express their thoughts and feelings clearly to avoid confusion and ensure they are understood by others.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to articulate their own thoughts and feelings precisely, be it at home or in school, helping them to build confidence in their expressive abilities.
Example Lesson: Importance of asking questions
Explanation: The book showcases scenarios where characters ask questions to clarify doubts, demonstrating the importance of inquisitiveness and seeking more information.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be curious and not hesitate to ask questions to gain better understanding in all aspects of learning.
Example Lesson: Respecting diverse opinions
Explanation: Throughout the book, different characters express varied opinions. It teaches that disagreements are natural, and respecting each other's viewpoints is crucial.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to engage respectfully in discussions, appreciating diverse perspectives from an early age.