Initiating and Maintaining Conversation
How do we initiate a conversation?
1. Get their attention
2. Use a clue or small talk to start the conversation
3. Determine if the other person is interested
What is a friend?
Shares interests with you
Cares about your feelings
Makes you feel good
Is someone you can trust
Is someone you want to be around and hangout with
What is perspective taking?
Perspective taking is when you think about the people around you
We try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes
Try to imagine what they are feeling by reading their mood.
What are the four steps to work in a group?
1. Accept the group
2. Organize the tasks
3. Share ideas
4. Encourage others
What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy is STANDING UP or SPEAKING UP for yourself to let others know your wants and needs.
How can we drive a conversation?
1. Make connected comments
2. Ask on-topic questions (wh questions)
How do we make friends?
We can make friends by learning about others and telling them about ourselves.
We have conversations with people
It takes time to build close friendships with others
How can we read someone's mood?
1. Facial expressions and Body language
2. Tone of voice
3. Situation.
How can we show a group member we are listening?
Facial expression: eye contact
Body language: facing the person speaking, nodding
Asking questions and follow-up questions: if we ask questions we need to make sure we listen to the answer
Making comments
Why should we advocate for ourselves?
When we advocate for ourselves, it lets people know what we are thinking and how we are feeling
What is small talk?
A quick, polite conversation
Use two W’s: Weather and Weekend
What are the steps to hanging out with a friend?
1. First, we have to figure out what to do, where to do it, and when to do it
2. Second, we figure out a time to meet
3. Last, we should figure out how we are going to get there
How do we take someone's perspective during a conversation?
If you are having a conversation with a friend, you need to be able to think about what they like to talk about and what they enjoy.
When we listen and focus on what the other person is interested in, this will more likely lead to a more positive interaction.
How can we be flexible in a group?
Taking turns
Doing an activity that may not be our first choice
Seeing you have choices
Showing good sportsmanship in a game
Letting things go
Trying things in a new way
Saying yes more often
What are the three steps to self-advocacy?
1. We talk to someone about our needs
2. We tell them the reason for our needs
3. We make sure we get what we need
What does a conversation measuring cup tell us?
If we do not use our conversation measuring cup we may not give enough information. Someone may think we don’t want to talk to them
OR
We may give too much information. Someone might feel annoyed or frustrated and want a turn to talk
What are questions you can ask someone to build a friendship?
Do you have any siblings?
Where do you live?
What do you do for fun?
What do you like to eat?
Do you have any pets? If no, what pet would you want?
Do you play any sports?
What does tuning in mean?
We can show others that we understand their perspective by “tuning in” to how they are feeling!
We must decide if we should change our words and actions based on the non-verbal language cues we see and how someone may be thinking or feeling.
What does it mean to compromise in a group?
To make a deal in which each person gets a little bit of what they want (i.e. a “win-win” situation”)
How do you advocate for yourself?
1. Use an appropriate volume
2. Use kind words
3. Use a friendly tone