Create
Constructive Communication Patterns

Whether your team needs a total transformation or just a positive boost consider a team retreat to rejuvenate your working and learning environment.  This program is also referred to as Build Constructive Communication Patterns.

Objectives:  The main objective of this interactive program is to help child care professionals, who work together, function as a dynamic team.  This includes:  building constructive communication patterns and eliminating those destructive ones (like gossip) that seem to tear teams apart and cause much unwanted stress, frustration, and anxiety.  It also includes breaking down communication barriers between staff and leaders, and between co-workers.      

The program provides immediately applicable strategies and helps participants feel motivated to make change happen.  Yes, this program helps participants feel motivated to make change happen, a very important element in achieving long-lasting, positive results. 

The program is customized to meet your professional development objectives, anticipated number of participants, and time frame.  Our most popular time frame for this program is 8 hours.    

A few extras…  Upon your request, Julie will help you write a letter to your team announcing the program.  Additionally, you’ll receive a program agenda for distribution to your team.  After the program, commemorative professional development certificates from Motivate Teachers will be mailed when requested. 

The program can be facilitated in smaller increments but is most effective in it's full-day format.  Here's an idea of what we cover in a 2, 4 and 8 hour program.
 

2-Hour Program Description:  During our 2-hour program, teams participate in a communication activity to help break down communication barriers and establish specific guidelines for communicating constructively.  In the process, participants gain a clear understanding of what destructive communication is and how their actions - destructive or constructive - play a major role in determining team morale.

4-Hour Program Description:  In addition to the communication activity described in our 2-hour program, participants engage in an activity called - The Difference You Make.  This activity allows team members to see vividly the importance of the work they do every day.  Teams have a fantastic time participating in it!   

Participants discover:

• How to manage their time more effectively
• How to deal with difficult parents and co-workers
• How to communicate constructively with staff, parents, children
• How to focus on solutions (instead of gossiping or taking things personally)
• The impact of the work they do and how it extends beyond their own classroom/workspace
• The essence of teamwork and the value gained from doing more than one’s fair share of the work
• How to resolve conflicts and other issues (including how to differentiate between problems they should handle on their own and problems where they must involve their leader)

8-Hour Program Description: All objectives and activities mentioned in our 2-hour and 4-hour program are covered.  Additionally, participants engage in a team building activity unlike any other.  This activity has moved participants to tears because of how good it helps them feel about their profession and co-workers. 

Skills are built in:

• Breaking the gossip chain
• Increasing professionalism
• Communicating constructively on an on-going basis

Participants gain valuable hands-on experience implementing strategies discussed through various activities.  **Hands-on experience makes the transition towards implementing new strategies and ideas comfortable and achievable.  Plans of action are created and goals are set to help your organization be more positive and productive on an ongoing basis.     

All programs include customization.  Leaders work extensively with Julie to establish priorities for their program.  Prior to the workshop, Julie will consult with several anticipated participants (or perhaps your entire team) via confidential telephone interviews to understand some of the specific challenges team members are currently experiencing.  Additionally, she will provide surveys for your team to complete and return to her in a confidential manner.  As a result, your team will feel a part of the process and will be more committed to attending and participating.  **Survey analysis reports are available to leaders for an additional fee.  The report contains generalized feedback from your team.  Julie will analyze your team’s feedback, provide you with trends, and make recommendations for communication/process improvements.

All programs include follow-up.  Julie provides leaders with success strategies to help obtain long-lasting positive results.

All programs include training materials and useful reference materials.

Setting:  Julie recommends a professional setting for the time she’ll be spending with your team.  Especially for longer programs, adult size chairs and tables are highly recommended.  Distractions should be kept to a minimum.  It’s best to hold the event outside of your workplace when possible.  



Here's just a glimpse at the fun you and your team will have!



                                                 

Contact Julie at 1.800.211.5671 or julie@motivateteachers.com to discover how you can schedule a private, on-site, customized program for your staff.