COMMUNICATION BASICS
What are the 3 parts of communication?
Words, tone, and body language.
What should you do when someone else is talking?
Pay attention and listen.
What are three qualities of strong communication?
Clear, kind, and confident.
Someone says “I'm fine,” but they are looking down and speaking quietly. What might you notice?
Their body language and tone don't match their words.
Your friend is talking, but you really want to tell your story. What should you do?
Let them finish, listen, and then respond.
True or False: Communication is only about talking.
False.
Why shouldn't you interrupt someone?
It gives them a chance to finish their thought.
What can you say when you need help?
“Can you help me?” or another appropriate request.
Someone keeps looking at their phone while you're talking. What might this communicate?
They may be distracted, uninterested, or not paying attention.
Someone asks you to do something you don't want to do. What could you say?
“No thanks,” “I'm not comfortable with that,” or another respectful boundary.
What is tone?
How your voice sounds when you speak.
What can you do if you don't understand what someone means?
Ask a question or ask them to clarify.
Is it okay to say “no” when you don't want to do something?
Yes, you can set a respectful boundary.
Someone smiles, faces you, and asks questions about what you're saying. What might this communicate?
They are likely interested and engaged in the conversation.
You don't understand what your teacher just explained. What should you do?
Ask for clarification or ask them to explain it another way.
Why does body language matter?
It can communicate feelings and messages without using words.
Name TWO ways you can show someone you're listening.
Eye contact, nodding, facing the person, brief responses, asking questions, etc.
Give an example of disagreeing respectfully.
“I see it differently because…”
Why shouldn't you assume you always know what someone is thinking?
Social cues can give us clues, but we can't know exactly what someone thinks or feels without asking.
Your friend disagrees with your opinion. What should you do?
Listen to their perspective and disagree respectfully without insulting them.
The same word can have different meanings depending on what two things?
Tone and body language.
What are the three steps of active listening?
Listen → Think → Respond.
Why is it important to speak up instead of expecting someone to guess what you need?
Other people can't read your mind. Clear communication helps them understand what you need, think, or feel.
What should you do when someone's words and body language don't seem to match?
Pay attention, avoid jumping to conclusions, and ask or clarify when appropriate.
You're talking to someone and they keep giving short answers and looking away. What could you do?
Notice the cues, give them space, change the topic, or respectfully end the conversation.