Conversation
Give an example of how you might start a conversation.
- "Hey, how are you doing?"
- "Hi Sam, how was your weekend?"
- "I love your shoes! Where did you get them?"
Megan is standing in the hallway with her hands on her hips and tapping her foot. What might Megan's body language be communicating?
- Waiting for someone who might be late
- Might be annoyed at the person she is talking to
Why is it important to think before we speak?
Once words come out of our mouths, they can impact others for the better and the worse. Because of this, we have to learn to be mindful about what we are saying and how we say it.
What are 3 benefits to improving communication skills?
- Helps us connect with others
- Allows us to share our voice
- Supports our understanding of social cues
- Helps us solve conflicts with others
What is active listening?
Active listening skills are behaviours we use to show others we are fully and actively listening when they talk.
What is small talk? Name 3 topics you can bring up for a small talk.
Small talk is a short and brief conversation with others.
Topics may include the weekend, weather, or shared experiences with the person you are talking to.
Before a presentation, Brendan is standing up tall and smiling. What might Brendan's body language be communicating?
- Is feeling confident with the material he is presenting
True or False:
Thinking before speaking is a skill that is important only when we are speaking to our friends, peers, or those who are the same age as us.
False. Thinking before speaking is a skill that should be applied with anyone we talk to.
How might you communicate with someone who keeps tapping their pencil and it's annoying you as you try to work.
- Ask the person to stop politely
- Be mindful of the environment you are in (e.g., library, classroom). You might whisper or talk to the person one-on-one instead of communicating out loud for everyone to hear.
Why are active listening skills important?
- Helps us build positive relationships with others
- Allows us to problem-solve when we have an issue
- Helps us get tasks done well
- Allows us to be better learners in school
Name 3 elements of a good conversation.
- Taking turns speaking and listening to each other
- Showing positive body language
- Asking follow-up questions
- Making positive and related comments
Give an example of body language. What does it tell us?
:)
Brandon is excited because it's his birthday today.
Come up with something positive you can say to Brandon. How will you carry on the conversation?
Example: "I heard that it's your birthday today, Brandon. Happy Birthday! Do you have any plans tonight?"
True or False:
There is no right or wrong. An opinion is your own personal view or judgment about something.
True
List 3 ways you can show good active listening skills
- Watch the person speak
- Use nonverbal cues such as nodding head or smiling
- Reflect the feelings and emotions of the person
- Ask questions and/or make comments
- Visualize what is being said
Your friend says, "I'm going to start going to art club this week. I'm so excited!"
How will you respond in order to show interest in them?
- "That sounds fun. What made you want to join?"
- "I'm excited for you. What will do there?"
Read each statement out loud while emphasizing the bolded word. How do our tone and volume impact the meaning of what we say?
1) "I never said you stole the cookies."
2) "I never said you stole the cookies."
Focusing on how we say what we say can help us understand someone's thoughts and intentions.
1) "I never said you stole the cookies."
2) "I never said you stole the cookies."
Why is self-control helpful in building relationships with others?
Thinking before speaking -> Less likely to hurt someone's feelings by helping you to not say something you might regret later -> More likely to make good decisions with what you are saying -> Others are more likely to want to be friends with you and talk with you
True or False:
Some things are better kept to yourself.
True. You don't need to (and shouldn't) share every single thought that pops into your head.
Your friend tells you that they just got the lead part in the play that they have been practicing for. How would you respond?
Example: "That's great! I'm so glad you got that part. I know you've been practicing so hard for it," while remembering to reflect your friend's emotions.
Conversations that start dark and gloomy can drive people away. Overall, people will enjoy talking with you more when you are positive, kind, and respectful. How do you start a conversation with someone else while still staying positive?
Scenario: You are upset that you cannot go to the sports game because of a family event.
"I can't go to the sports game because of some family thing. Will you let me know how it goes?"
You go up to a friend and talk about how easy the math test was. You noticed that your friend responds by remaining silent. She squints her eyes and furrows her brows. What might your friend be feeling, thinking, and communicating with that expression.
Your friend disagrees with how easy the test was or may be annoyed with what you are saying since they think the math test was hard.
How can we help ourselves to stop and think about what we are going to say?
Questions to ask ourselves:
- Is the thought judging someone else or could hurt someone else?
- Is the thought overly negative?
- Is the thought appropriate to make at this time?
Tony is upset when his friend invites him to hang out but never ends up texting him back.
How will Tony form an I statement to share his emotions?
Hint: "I feel (your emotions) when (situation or event) because (your thoughts)"
"I feel upset when I never got a text back to confirm when we are hanging out because I was really forward to it."
What is visualizing? How does it help you be an active listener?
Visualizing is when you are picturing what the person is saying in your head, just like a movie that is being played. It helps you be an active listener because you are focusing on what the person is saying. It can also help you ask follow-up questions, further showing the person you are understanding and caring about what they are talking about.