Over my weeks at Lydia Home, many interpersonal communication themes have developed during the time I have spent with the children, as well as the adults.
Perception has been an absolutely huge theme that has played a role in various communications I have had. The people at this wonderful organization have challenged my perception of the community in Davenport. Coming from a very small town in Indiana, I believed the people in a bigger city did not care for their local community as much as a smaller group of people. Lydia Home showed me that there were people in the world who care about the well-being of their community and especially the children who are given less in life, who struggle with even the simplest of things due to their circumstances. My perception of people in general and how they can share their personal stories so openly challenged me to be a more open person.
Another theme that occurred multiple times during my time at Lydia Home was the use of different language. Helping the kids, I need to use different language to communicate an idea that I understand, or something that I may know a certain way but have to explain it in three different ways to help them fully grasp a concept.
This experience of the service learning project has shaped my future interpersonal interactions by adapting my mindset of people in the community. Also, I now know that I can better explain ideas better. This project was a vital part of my growth in interpersonal communications.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Blog #4 Lydia Home
During this experience at Lydia Home, I attended to the family cookout the organizations holds to bring the kids and parents for a nice meal. This night we made tacos, and I helped put the toppings on for the kids. Helping the kids is the reason why we volunteer there, but this particular day my use of language and perception of the people there was challenged.
I talked to a woman and her daughter who help there during the meals. They are local neighbors that attend church with the people of Lydia Home. During this night there, we talked about our families, lives, and even tragedies that have happened in our lives. I only met them this one time, and I was able to talk to them like I had known them for years. My perception of the people who live in the local area, and even people in general changed. I realized how through the interpersonal communication had,that there is more to people, and getting to know them and their struggles will grow the community and world together.
What I learned that I can apply to future interactions is the openness with people that allow for fluid communication. The perception change will aid future communications by helping me realize that everyone has gone through some kind of struggle, so be less quick to judge them and learn about the people I communicate with.
I talked to a woman and her daughter who help there during the meals. They are local neighbors that attend church with the people of Lydia Home. During this night there, we talked about our families, lives, and even tragedies that have happened in our lives. I only met them this one time, and I was able to talk to them like I had known them for years. My perception of the people who live in the local area, and even people in general changed. I realized how through the interpersonal communication had,that there is more to people, and getting to know them and their struggles will grow the community and world together.
What I learned that I can apply to future interactions is the openness with people that allow for fluid communication. The perception change will aid future communications by helping me realize that everyone has gone through some kind of struggle, so be less quick to judge them and learn about the people I communicate with.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Blog #3: Lydia Home Adventure Part 2
For my next visit to Lydia Home, I was helping at a barbeque they have every Friday for the families whose children attend Lydia Home for homework help. I volunteered my time during the set up for the barbeque. While I was waiting to set up, there was family of a mother and her three children there waiting so I was able to play with them for a while. The kids wanted to play board games, so we were playing for a while before I became busy. After we were done, I helped serve the kids burgers and desert.
When I was playing with the children and serving them, I realized their need for attention through their verbal and nonverbal communication. Some of them would just ask for attention, or act out verbally for recognition by the older kids and volunteers. Some would then act out in a nonverbal manner by throwing something, or just showing the fact that they needed something. I was able to relate this to the topics we have discussed in class.
I learned how to help people in a more efficient manner. I could use this in future interactions by realizing that I need to help people of the community out more. It was a great experience meeting new families, enjoying time with the little kids, and help to do my part at Lydia Home.
When I was playing with the children and serving them, I realized their need for attention through their verbal and nonverbal communication. Some of them would just ask for attention, or act out verbally for recognition by the older kids and volunteers. Some would then act out in a nonverbal manner by throwing something, or just showing the fact that they needed something. I was able to relate this to the topics we have discussed in class.
I learned how to help people in a more efficient manner. I could use this in future interactions by realizing that I need to help people of the community out more. It was a great experience meeting new families, enjoying time with the little kids, and help to do my part at Lydia Home.
Blog #2: Lydia Home Adventure Part 1
My first experience with Lydia Home was quite interesting. I went at an unconventional time and was watching three children in their recreation area while their mother was being tutored upstairs. The children are siblings, with the oldest being a boy and he has a younger sister and brother. The children were very nice and quite polite for being very young.
We were having a play day. The children had snack time for 15 minutes then we were playing with puzzles, coloring, and playing pool. The young girl told me about the time they spend at Lydia Home during homework days and how the other volunteers would help them with their work. My perception of their time at Lydia Home was that they are helped very much by everyone involved with the organization.
I learned a lot just from the few hours I spent with the kids. They were a challenge for me being so young. I learned to take my patience with the children to a different level. My communication level was adapted to be able to get my point across. I was acting like an authoritative figure and how to get my point across without turning the children against me by making them angry and not "like" me. I was able to perceive the information that the children were telling me and respond correctly in the situation. This interaction was applied to future communication by changing the way I perceive the way the children are talking.
We were having a play day. The children had snack time for 15 minutes then we were playing with puzzles, coloring, and playing pool. The young girl told me about the time they spend at Lydia Home during homework days and how the other volunteers would help them with their work. My perception of their time at Lydia Home was that they are helped very much by everyone involved with the organization.
I learned a lot just from the few hours I spent with the kids. They were a challenge for me being so young. I learned to take my patience with the children to a different level. My communication level was adapted to be able to get my point across. I was acting like an authoritative figure and how to get my point across without turning the children against me by making them angry and not "like" me. I was able to perceive the information that the children were telling me and respond correctly in the situation. This interaction was applied to future communication by changing the way I perceive the way the children are talking.
Blog #1: The Beginning
For my service learning project, I am giving my time and effort to the Lydia Home for children. My hopes for the service learning project are to utilize my skills to help children be their best and learn everything they can, and for me to better understand how to help people on a daily basis and gain skills that will aid me in my future.
My assumptions about my service-learning site is that they are a wonderful organization that helps children. I know that they help children who needs extra education. When you work there you help the children with their homework and gain further education through the help of the volunteers who give their time.
I learned from the owner of Lydia Home that the population that they help are not exactly less fortunate, but just in need of some help. I assume that the children use their time at Lydia Home to get the extra help and attention they need that they are unable to get elsewhere.
My passion for helping children stems from a long past of wanting to help children. I have always been a tutor, peer assistant, and put myself in any role that allows me to help the kids that were in my grade, or the grade below me. My interest in helping others has always been there, and this community service project will allow me to help the local children of Davenport in need of aid.
My assumptions about my service-learning site is that they are a wonderful organization that helps children. I know that they help children who needs extra education. When you work there you help the children with their homework and gain further education through the help of the volunteers who give their time.
I learned from the owner of Lydia Home that the population that they help are not exactly less fortunate, but just in need of some help. I assume that the children use their time at Lydia Home to get the extra help and attention they need that they are unable to get elsewhere.
My passion for helping children stems from a long past of wanting to help children. I have always been a tutor, peer assistant, and put myself in any role that allows me to help the kids that were in my grade, or the grade below me. My interest in helping others has always been there, and this community service project will allow me to help the local children of Davenport in need of aid.
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