Communication
Communication is the name of the game. If a private student doesn't
understand what I have told them, then I need to explain it in a different
way.
Three books (see also, complete list) that
have been instrumental in developing my teaching style are:
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People, Stephen R. Covey. Simon
& Schuster. ISBN 0-671-70863-5.
- What to Say to Get What You Want,
Sam Deep and Lyle Sussman. Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-57712-7.
- How to Get Your Child to Practice
Without Resorting to Violence!!, Cynthia Richards. Advance
Publications. Available from Ithaca Talent Education (800-338-7483).
Some of the key principles of communication
from these books are:
- Put first things first.
- Expect the best.
- Seek to understand then be understood.
Listen before talking, think before acting.
- Get to the point.
- Change what they do, not who they are.
- Model the behavior you desire.
- Adapt your approach to the person.
- Provide for dignity and self-respect.
- Appeal to self-interest using natural
rewards.
- Rejoice at success.
- Feel your losses with remorse not guilt.
- Think win/win--synergize.
- Sharpen the saw--take time out to improve
yourself and your teaching methods.
- Be positive and enthusiastic.
- Use tension dissolvers.
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