Connection & Communication
Name a behavior that makes someone feel heard during a conversation
Eye contact, facing them, nodding, listening without interrupting, etc.
What is one thing you should avoid doing while someone is talking?
Interrupting, checking your phone, changing the subject, etc.
“I can see why you'd be upset about that.”
Empathy
Name three physical signs someone might experience when they're becoming overwhelmed.
Fast heartbeat, tense muscles, sweating, shaking, rapid breathing, etc.
Demonstrate a calm body posture you could use when someone is upset.
Relaxed posture, appropriate space, attentive presence, etc.
True or false: What you say matters more than how you say it
False — tone and body language also affect communication.
What does it mean to paraphrase someone?
Restating what they said in your own words.
“You're overthinking it. It's really not that serious.”
Not empathy- minimizing
Why is recognizing your emotions before responding helpful?
It can help you regulate yourself and choose how to respond instead of reacting impulsively.
Someone says, “I can't do this. I'm freaking out.” Respond without giving them advice.
Validation/reassurance/presence.
Name one communication behavior that can make someone feel disconnected from you.
Interrupting, ignoring, being on your phone, dismissing feelings, yelling, etc.
Someone says, “School has been exhausting lately.” Give an appropriate follow-up question.
“What's been making it exhausting?” / similar.
“That happened to me too! Mine was actually way worse.”
Not empathy — redirecting attention to yourself.
Someone suddenly becomes very quiet during an argument. Does that automatically mean they're ignoring you?
No. They may be overwhelmed, shutting down, processing, etc.
Demonstrate how your tone of voice could help de-escalate a tense conversation.
Calm, steady, respectful tone.
Someone says, “Whatever, I don't care,” but their voice is shaky and they're looking down. What should you pay attention to besides their words?
Tone and body language/nonverbal cues.
Your friend talks for 30 seconds about something bothering them. Before sharing your opinion, what could you do to make sure you understood them?
Summarize/paraphrase what you heard.
“I don't completely understand what you're going through, but I'm here to listen.”
Empathy
You're getting increasingly angry while talking to someone. What's one thing you could do before continuing?
Pause, breathe, take space, ground yourself, lower your voice, etc.
Your friend is getting increasingly angry and speaking loudly. Name three things you could do that may help prevent the situation from escalating.
Stay calm, lower your voice, give space, listen, validate, avoid arguing, etc.
Why can two people walk away from the same conversation feeling completely differently about it?
People interpret words, tone, body language, emotions, and experiences differently.
What's the difference between listening to understand and listening to respond?
Listening to understand focuses on the speaker; listening to respond focuses on what you're going to say next.
Your friend is upset about something that wouldn't bother you. Can you still show empathy? How?
Yes. You don't have to feel the same way to acknowledge and try to understand their feelings.
Why might understanding your own emotions make it easier to understand someone else's?
Emotional awareness can help you recognize emotions, communicate them, and respond intentionally.
Explain why regulating yourself first can make it easier to support someone else who is dysregulated.
People respond to one another's tone, energy, body language, and behavior; remaining regulated can help create a sense of safety and stability.