Introducing young children to the principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is crucial for their overall development, and one essential skill to focus on is effective conversation. This blog post will explore the importance of establishing appropriate conversation skills in PreK students, provide a no-prep activity for educators, suggest discussion questions to stimulate further conversations, mention related skills, and offer next steps for those interested in obtaining free sample materials.

Introduction

Effective conversation skills are the foundation of successful social interactions. PreK students who learn to communicate appropriately with their peers and adults will experience better relationships, improved self-esteem, and greater academic success. Teaching children to modulate their voice, maintain an appropriate volume, and engage in active listening are just a few of the essential conversation skills that will help them thrive in various social situations.

No-Prep Activity

This simple, no-prep activity is designed to help PreK students practice appropriate conversation skills. It’s called the “Whisper-Shout” game, and it requires no additional materials or preparation from the educator.

1. Have students form a circle, facing each other.
2. Explain that they will be practicing using different volumes for their voices.
3. Choose a simple, familiar phrase (e.g., “How are you?”) for the students to practice saying.
4. Start by having the students whisper the phrase to each other, going around the circle.
5. Next, have the students say the phrase in a normal speaking voice, followed by a louder voice.
6. Discuss with the students how using different volumes can impact their conversations and the feelings of others.

This activity helps students become more aware of their voice volume and its effect on others, encouraging them to practice using appropriate volumes during conversations.

Discussion Questions

Here are some discussion questions to stimulate further conversations about appropriate conversation skills:

1. Why is it important to use an appropriate volume when speaking to others?
2. How do you feel when someone talks too loudly or too quietly?
3. What are some other ways we can show respect and kindness during conversations?
4. Why is it important to listen carefully when someone else is speaking?
5. Can you think of a time when you had a conversation that made you feel good? What made it a positive experience?

Related Skills

In addition to effective conversation skills, there are several other related skills that contribute to successful social-emotional development in PreK students:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to focus on what the speaker is saying and respond appropriately.
• Body language: Teaching children to recognize and interpret non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and gestures.
• Empathy: Helping students understand and share the feelings of others.
• Problem-solving: Guiding students through the process of resolving conflicts and finding solutions to social challenges.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to support the development of effective conversation skills and other essential social-emotional learning skills, we invite you to sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These materials will provide you with additional tools and strategies to help your PreK students thrive in their social and emotional development.