Introduction

When we communicate with others, it’s essential to remember the importance of turn-taking in conversations. This can be especially challenging for elementary students who may be excited and eager to share their thoughts. However, when one person dominates the conversation, it can leave others feeling upset or unheard. In this blog post, we will explore the skill of turn-taking, a no-prep activity for educators, discussion questions, and other related skills to help students develop healthy communication habits.

No-Prep Activity: Conversation Catch

This simple, no-prep activity helps students practice turn-taking in conversations by comparing it to a game of catch. Here’s how it works:

1. Divide students into pairs.
2. Explain that having a conversation is like playing a game of catch. One person speaks (throws the ball), and the other person listens (catches the ball) before responding (throwing the ball back).
3. Ask students to have a conversation with their partner, making sure to practice turn-taking. Encourage them to be aware of when it’s their turn to “throw” or “catch” the ball in the conversation.
4. After a few minutes, gather the class together and discuss their experiences. Ask them to reflect on how it felt to take turns talking and listening.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to further explore the concept of turn-taking in conversations with your students:

• Why is it important to take turns when talking with someone?
• How do you feel when someone doesn’t give you a chance to speak in a conversation?
• What are some strategies you can use to make sure you’re giving others a chance to talk?
• How can you tell when it’s your turn to speak in a conversation? What are some cues you can look for?
• What can you do if you find yourself talking too much in a conversation? How can you make sure to include others?

Related Skills

Beyond turn-taking, there are several other skills that contribute to effective communication and healthy social interactions. Some of these include:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to what the other person is saying, and showing that you’re engaged by nodding, making eye contact, and asking follow-up questions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help create stronger connections and improve communication.
• Assertiveness: Expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner while also respecting the rights of others.
• Nonverbal communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to convey messages and emotions.

Next Steps

Now that you’re familiar with the importance of turn-taking in conversations and have explored a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills, it’s time to put these concepts into practice. To further support your students’ social-emotional learning, consider signing up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. These materials will provide additional resources and strategies to help your students develop healthy communication habits and foster positive social interactions.