Nonviolent Communication

"Imagine connecting with the human spirit in each person in any situation at any time. Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone's needs to be equally valued. Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment." -Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD, Founder of the Center for Nonviolent Communication

Nonviolent communication (NVC), a concept and practice founded and developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, is based on the principles of nonviolence-the natural state of compassion. "NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies-whether verbal or physical-are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution." (http://www.cnvc.org/)

Another practice for promoting effective, respectful communication is building authentic relationships, with children, families, colleagues, and/or members of organizations and agencies. As you may know, early childhood specialist Magda Gerber developed the 3 R's, which promotes the idea that relationships are built over time through "respectful, reciprocal, and responsive" interactions. Part of practicing the 3 R's is to acknowledge the validity of diverse perspectives and to provide an equal voice for those perspectives. One must also be willing to examine his or her own personal, family, and cultural views and beliefs, and how they affect interactions with others.

Nonviolent communication and the 3R's have an interesting and fundamental relationship to each other. For this Discussion, consider what you have learned about each practice and how it can impact communication in the field of early childhood as well as any challenges to implementing these practices.

With these thoughts in mind:

With regard to the early childhood field, post a response to the following questions:

How might the principles of NVC positively impact communication?

How might the 3 R's positively impact communication?

What did you learn from either or both concepts that will help you to be a more effective communicator in your profession and/or with the families of young children and current/future colleagues in the early childhood field?