Observing Communication

Everywhere you look you can find some form of communication going on.  This week’s blog assignment was to make an observation of communication going on between children and adults.  I chose to observe the crossing guard at the local elementary school.  The school bell rings and here comes little kiddies from everywhere.  Each room would dismiss, waving goodbye to their teacher, those who were riding the bus would hurry off to their destination but those who walked home would stop until they were advised to cross the busy street.  I watched how the crossing guard would bid each to cross and then farewell as they would disappear on the other side of the street.  The crossing guard took his job very responsible and because of each child’s safety his job was a very serious one.  He spoke firmly to those who goofed off or played in line while waiting to cross.  I believe because some children tried to push the crossing guard to his very limit might have caused some uneasy feelings at that particular time but overall, the crossing was very supportive and made every attempt to bid every child farewell for the weekend. The crossing guard also controlled the traffic passing during this particular time.  Not only was the brief conversation between the crossing guard, the children, and the adults effective, it was also affirming.  There are those times when we have to let children know who is actually in charge and it could possibly be the change in the tone of our voice.  However, children are not robots and we must do whatever possible to let them know we are supportive of them.  Without the crossing guard taking a stand a child’s life might have been put in harm’s way.