Introduction

The Conversation Stoplight is a valuable tool for teaching young children how to engage in meaningful and polite conversations. This technique helps them understand when to start and stop talking, ensuring that each participant has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity for teaching the Conversation Stoplight to PreK students, discuss related skills, and provide additional resources to further enhance their communication abilities.

No-Prep Activity: Stoplight Storytime

This activity requires no additional materials and can be done in a classroom or any other setting where children can sit comfortably. The educator will read a story aloud, periodically pausing to allow students to practice their Conversation Stoplight skills.

1. Begin by explaining the concept of the Conversation Stoplight to the students. Explain that when someone else is talking, they have a red light, which means they should be listening and thinking about what the speaker is saying. When the speaker is finished, and they have a green light, it’s their turn to talk.
2. Start reading a story aloud to the students. Periodically pause and ask a question related to the story, such as “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think the character is feeling?”
3. Encourage the students to observe the red and green lights in the conversation. Remind them to listen for pauses, watch for eye contact, and listen for questions to determine when it’s their turn to speak.
4. Continue reading the story, stopping at various points to allow students to practice their Conversation Stoplight skills.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Stoplight Storytime activity, use the following questions to engage students in further discussion:

1. Why is it important to wait for our turn to speak in a conversation?
2. How did it feel when you waited for the green light before speaking? Did it help you listen better to what others were saying?
3. Can you think of a time when you were in a conversation and you didn’t use the Conversation Stoplight? How did that make you feel?
4. How can we practice using the Conversation Stoplight outside of the classroom?
5. Why is it important to give equal talking time and turns to everyone in a conversation?

Related Skills

Teaching the Conversation Stoplight can help students develop other essential communication skills, such as:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to focus on what others are saying rather than thinking about their own thoughts and interests.
• Empathy: Understanding and acknowledging the feelings and perspectives of others during a conversation.
• Nonverbal communication: Recognizing and interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to better understand the speaker’s message.
• Conflict resolution: Using effective communication skills to resolve disagreements and misunderstandings in a respectful manner.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the Conversation Stoplight and how it can help PreK students develop vital communication skills, we encourage you to explore additional resources and activities. Consider signing up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech, which provide a variety of activities and resources designed to support Social-Emotional Learning. By incorporating these practices into your teaching, you can help your students build a strong foundation for successful communication and interpersonal relationships.