In this blog post, we will discuss an important aspect of social-emotional learning: guiding students to smoothly transition between conversation topics. Like surfing, conversations need to flow naturally from one topic to another. By teaching students how to ride the wave of conversation, we can help them build stronger connections with their peers and navigate social situations more effectively. Let’s explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators teach this essential skill.

No-Prep Activity: Topic Wave Relay

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To begin, have students form a circle. Explain that they will be practicing the skill of transitioning between conversation topics by participating in a “Topic Wave Relay.” The objective of the game is for students to smoothly transition from one topic to another, like riding a wave.

Start by introducing a topic, such as “pets.” The first student should say a sentence related to the topic. The next student will continue the conversation by adding a related sentence. After a few sentences, the educator will announce a new topic, such as “favorite foods.” The students will then need to smoothly transition from the previous topic to the new one, making sure the conversation flows naturally.

Continue the relay for several rounds, introducing new topics as needed. Remind students to pay attention to the conversation and listen for cues that it’s time to switch topics. This activity will help students practice identifying when a conversation topic has reached its natural conclusion and when it’s appropriate to introduce a new subject.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to let a conversation topic finish before moving on to a new one?
2. What are some cues that a conversation topic has reached its natural conclusion?
3. How can we practice active listening to better follow the flow of a conversation?
4. Can you think of a time when you or someone else changed the topic too abruptly? How did it affect the conversation?
5. How can we make sure our conversation partners feel heard and understood before moving on to a new topic?

Related Skills

Besides learning to smoothly transition between conversation topics, there are several other related skills that can help students improve their social-emotional learning:

• Active Listening: Being fully present and engaged in a conversation, showing interest in what the other person is saying, and asking follow-up questions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which helps to create deeper connections during conversations.
• Nonverbal Communication: Interpreting and responding to body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to better understand the emotions and intentions of conversation partners.
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner, while also considering the needs of others.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the importance of smoothly transitioning between conversation topics and practiced a no-prep activity, it’s time to continue developing this skill with your students. To access more resources, including free samples of this skill and others, sign up for Everyday Speech’s sample materials.

By incorporating these principles of social-emotional learning into your classroom, you will help your students build stronger connections with their peers, navigate social situations more effectively, and ultimately improve their overall well-being.