Introduction

Eye contact is a crucial element in effective communication and social-emotional learning (SEL). When teaching students, especially those in special education, the ability to make eye contact can greatly improve their social interactions and help them form meaningful connections. This blog post will explore the significance of eye contact in SEL, offer a no-prep activity that educators can use, provide discussion questions, and mention related skills that can benefit students. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to access free samples of SEL materials to further support your students’ growth.

No-Prep Activity: The Eye Contact Game

This simple, yet engaging activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students practice making eye contact. Students sit in a circle, and the educator selects a volunteer to start. The volunteer chooses another student in the circle and makes eye contact with them. Once eye contact is established, the volunteer says the student’s name and then tosses an imaginary ball to them. The student who receives the “ball” must then make eye contact with another student, say their name, and toss the ball to them. This continues until every student has had a turn. The game can be repeated with variations, such as using different facial expressions or incorporating compliments.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is eye contact important in communication and social-emotional learning?
2. How can making eye contact help you understand someone’s feelings or emotions?
3. What are some situations where eye contact might be challenging, and how can we overcome those challenges?
4. How did it feel to participate in the Eye Contact Game, and what did you learn from the experience?
5. Can you think of other ways to practice making eye contact in everyday situations?

Related Skills

Besides eye contact, there are several other related skills that contribute to effective communication and social-emotional learning. These include:

• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker and showing that you’re engaged in the conversation.
• Nonverbal communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey feelings and emotions.
• Turn-taking: Understanding when it’s your turn to speak and allowing others the opportunity to share their thoughts.
• Empathy: Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and understanding their feelings and emotions.

Next Steps

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insight into the importance of eye contact in social-emotional learning for special education students. To further support your students’ growth in this area, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of skill-based activities and materials. By incorporating these resources into your teaching, you’ll be helping your students develop essential communication skills and fostering their social-emotional well-being.