Communicating Differently

Every day I communicate with people from different groups and culture.  As an early childhood professional, I communicate with children, families, and colleagues.  Also in my personal life I also communicate with different groups of people.  First my husband is from a different culture than mine, my son is from a different age group, my sister practices a different religion than me and my friends are all different.  One of the things I learned about communication and that I confirmed while studying this course is that listening is essential for effective communication, but also that you cannot communicate with everyone in the same way.  What I personally do is to learn people and talk to them how they want to be treated.  I was very surprised this week, when I learned about the Platinum Rule because I was practicing the Platinum Rule while communicating with others, but I did not even know that such of rule existed.  Besides the Platinum Rule,  I also communicate different when I am in my professional role.  When I am communicating with colleagues and parents my communication is always more serious, concise and  I use vocabulary related to my profession.  When I am, communicating with children my tone of voice changes I tend to be more soft and sweet when talking with children.  Then when talking with family and friends communication is more casual.