The power of non-verbal communication

As a teacher, I love light bulb moments - the moment when you can almost see a visible light turn on a students face; the moment an abstract concept becomes concrete. The New York Times Cases section has such an article today: a first year resident learns the power of non-verbal communication in conveying caring to a dying patient. Effective, compassionate communication goes beyond learning the right words from a textbook. Real communication requires seeing, feeling and giving time.