I. Fundamentals of Effective Communication
Competent communicators demonstrate knowledge and understanding of…
1. the relationships among the components of the
communication process.
2. the influence of the individual, relationship, and
situation on communication.
3. the role of communication in the development and
maintenance of personal relationships.
4. the role of communication in creating meaning,
influencing thought, and making decisions.
Competent communicators demonstrate the ability to…
5. demonstrate sensitivity to diversity when communicating.
6. enhance relationships and resolve conflict using
appropriate and effective communication strategies.
7. evaluate communication styles, strategies, and content
based on their aesthetic and functional worth.
8. show sensitivity to the ethical issues associated with
communication in a democratic society.
Speaking
Competent speakers demonstrate…
9. knowledge and understanding of the speaking process.
10. the ability to adapt communication strategies
appropriate and effectively according to the needs of the situation and setting.
11. the ability to use language that clarifies, persuades,
and/or inspires while respecting differences in listeners' backgrounds.
12. the ability to manage or overcome communication anxiety.
Listening
Competent listeners demonstrate…
13. knowledge and understanding of the listening process.
14. the ability to use appropriate and effective listening
skills for a given communication situation and setting.
15. the ability to identify and manage barriers to
listening.
Media Literacy
Media literate communicators demonstrate…
16. knowledge and understanding of the ways people use
media in their personal and public lives.
17. knowledge and understanding of the complex
relationships among audiences and media content.
18. knowledge and understanding that media content is
produced within social and cultural contexts.
19. knowledge and understanding of the commercial nature of
media.
20. the ability to use
media to communicate o to specific audiences.
II. Basic Communication Knowledge and Behaviors for Children Entering
Elementary School
Children entering elementary school should be able
to…
1. identify some of the parts of
the communication process (e.g. speaker, listener, message, etc.).
2. recognize that different people
communicate differently and that people communicate differently in different
situations.
3. recognize that communication is
important for friendships and other relationships.
4. discuss some of the ways
communication helps people understand the world.
Children entering elementary school should be able
to…
5. show some awareness of the needs
of others when communicating.
6. use communication skills to make
friends, maintain friendships, and solve problems.
7. identify whether someone is
communicating pleasantly or unpleasantly, appropriately or inappropriately.
8. recognize that there are good
and bad ways to communicate with others.
Speaking
Children entering elementary school should be able to…
9. talk to others and participate in conversations.
10. speak differently in different situations and settings.
11. explain something and persuade someone to do something.
12. find ways to avoid feeling nervous or afraid when
talking to others.
Listening
Children entering elementary school should be able to…
13. identify some differences between listening and hearing
(the physical act).
14. listen to information as well as listen for enjoyment.
15. recognize that some things interfere with listening and
discus ways to listen in spite of interferences.
Media Literacy
Children entering elementary school should be able to…
16. identify some of the media that they use (television,
radio, video and computer games) and some of the rules for how they use them
(e.g. parental rules governing type of program, amount of media use time,
decisions about when and where media can be used).
17. discuss some of the emotional effects and simple
reactions they have when they use media (laughter, fear, learning something
new).
18. discuss who the story teller is in media narratives.
19. recognize program breaks and understand that
advertisements in breaks are separate from program content.
20. recognize
some of the formal features (the visual and audio elements) that signal
differences in types of media content (e.g. shows for grown-ups and children,
news, etc.).
*The National Communication Association acknowledges of
the developers of these communication standards for K-12 educators, who reworded
them for relevance and easier reading by parents.
