ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the communication process, a number of communication strategies and their advantages and disadvantages and the barriers to communication and how they can be minimised, explores the capabilities and attributes needed to be an effective communicator, analyses different communication styles and describes the most appropriate for working with others and articulates the importance of collaboratively generating a vision and mission and communicating it. The chapter outlines strategies that support conflict resolution and discusses the importance of establishing a communication plan and other strategies in managing crisis communication. Effective communication and relationships are essential elements of successful leadership and a high-quality early childhood context. Effective communication is key to establishing respectful, reciprocal relationships in early childhood contexts where information is shared between children, educators, families and the wider community.
