Skill-Building #3: Listening
Skill-Building #3: Listening
The social skills of listening, sharing, and saying “sorry” are important for students to learn at a young age. Here are some discussion ideas that can be used to teach these social skills.
Social Skill: Listening
Student Steps:
Step One: Look at the person who is talking.
- Point out to students that sometimes others may think someone is not listening, even though they have heard every word that was said.
- Sit quietly.
- This is a way to show someone that you are really listening.
Step Two: Think about what is being said.
- Emphasize to the students that it is important to sit facing each other. As well, a reminder to the students that this should be a serious environment, one that is conducive to active listening. In other words, refraining from being silly or distracted by fidgeting when the person is talking.
Step Three: Say yes or nod your head.
- Emphasize that both verbal and nonverbal messages are important to show that a person is listening.
Step Four: Ask a question to find out more.
- Discuss what some relevant questions could be in a given conversation. Emphasize that these questions should not be changing the topic.