Introduction

When teaching students with special needs, it’s important to help them develop the skills necessary to engage in productive conversations. By learning how to ask questions, make comments, and switch topics, students can become active participants in conversations. In this blog post, we’ll explore a no-prep activity that educators can use to help their students develop these essential skills, as well as some discussion questions and related skills to further support their growth in social-emotional learning.

No-Prep Activity: Conversation Relay

The Conversation Relay is a simple activity that requires no additional materials or preparation, making it easy for educators to implement. To play, have students sit in a circle. One person starts the conversation by mentioning a topic, and the person to their right must respond by either asking a question, making a comment, or shifting to a new topic. The relay continues around the circle until everyone has had a chance to participate. This activity encourages students to practice listening, responding, and contributing to a conversation in a structured and supportive environment.

Discussion Questions

1. What strategies can you use to keep a conversation going when the other person hasn’t provided much information?
2. How can we show others that we are actively listening and engaged in the conversation?
3. What are some nonverbal cues that can help us recognize when it’s time to switch topics or ask a question?
4. How can we ensure that our comments and questions are relevant and appropriate to the conversation?
5. Why is it important to develop effective conversation skills, and how can they benefit us in various social situations?

Related Skills

In addition to asking questions, making comments, and shifting topics, there are other skills that can help students become more effective communicators. Some of these skills include:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to the speaker, and showing that you understand and care about what they’re saying.
• Nonverbal communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning and emotions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and responding with care and support.
• Assertiveness: Expressing your thoughts and feelings in a clear, respectful, and confident manner.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach conversation skills to your students, it’s time to put these strategies into action. To access free sample materials that can help you implement these techniques in your classroom, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page. These resources can provide you with a wealth of ideas and activities to support your students’ social-emotional learning and growth.