In speech and language, we have been talking about how to be a great listener and how to have an even better conversation. Things we do (without even knowing it) in a conversation include:
*Turning toward the person you want to speak to/with
*Saying the person's name
*Recognizing when it is appropriate to begin a conversation (if the person is busy, wait...if the person is free, START a conversation)
*Using facial expressions/body language to show how we feel, that we understand/are confused, that we agree/disagree etc.
*Asking questions (Using wh words - who, what, when, where, why ---> When are you going to Disney?), commenting (Wow! That is neat!), giving information (I've been to Disney too! I love chicken parmesan also!) etc.
*Using appropriate eye contact
*Ending a conversation appropriately (i.e. Well, that's very interesting, but I better get going now. I'll talk to you soon)
*Showing interest in listening
*Initiating topics of our own interest and taking part in conversational topics we may find less interesting etc.
*Moving from topic to topic (i.e. I love chicken parmesan too, but what is your favorite thing to drink?)
*Staying on topic (i.e. Not breaking the communication chain - I am talking about going to Disney, so you continue talking about Disney rather than breaking the chain and bringing up something different)
All of these come very naturally to most of us, but some children need direct instruction and guidance.
Practice having a conversation with your child. Model appropriate turn taking and conversational behavior. Talk about facial expressions and body language and what each of them mean. Think about when and why a person would make a certain facial expression or move in a certain way. BOOKS are a great way to foster this skill! Talk about why each skill is important. :) Enjoy and as always, if you'd like materials to practice any of these skills, please email me: [email protected].
Materials for social skills that you can print/talk about.
https://www.speakingofspeech.com/social-pragmatics.html
https://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/conversation-skills/teaching-ideas/
http://www.socialskillscentral.com/free/101_Ways_Teach_Children_Social_Skills.pdf
http://www.worksheetplace.com/index.php?function=DisplayCategory&showCategory=Y&links=2&id=367&link1=31&link2=367
*Turning toward the person you want to speak to/with
*Saying the person's name
*Recognizing when it is appropriate to begin a conversation (if the person is busy, wait...if the person is free, START a conversation)
*Using facial expressions/body language to show how we feel, that we understand/are confused, that we agree/disagree etc.
*Asking questions (Using wh words - who, what, when, where, why ---> When are you going to Disney?), commenting (Wow! That is neat!), giving information (I've been to Disney too! I love chicken parmesan also!) etc.
*Using appropriate eye contact
*Ending a conversation appropriately (i.e. Well, that's very interesting, but I better get going now. I'll talk to you soon)
*Showing interest in listening
*Initiating topics of our own interest and taking part in conversational topics we may find less interesting etc.
*Moving from topic to topic (i.e. I love chicken parmesan too, but what is your favorite thing to drink?)
*Staying on topic (i.e. Not breaking the communication chain - I am talking about going to Disney, so you continue talking about Disney rather than breaking the chain and bringing up something different)
All of these come very naturally to most of us, but some children need direct instruction and guidance.
Practice having a conversation with your child. Model appropriate turn taking and conversational behavior. Talk about facial expressions and body language and what each of them mean. Think about when and why a person would make a certain facial expression or move in a certain way. BOOKS are a great way to foster this skill! Talk about why each skill is important. :) Enjoy and as always, if you'd like materials to practice any of these skills, please email me: [email protected].
Materials for social skills that you can print/talk about.
https://www.speakingofspeech.com/social-pragmatics.html
https://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/conversation-skills/teaching-ideas/
http://www.socialskillscentral.com/free/101_Ways_Teach_Children_Social_Skills.pdf
http://www.worksheetplace.com/index.php?function=DisplayCategory&showCategory=Y&links=2&id=367&link1=31&link2=367