Introduction

Social interactions can be complex, especially when it comes to making eye contact and avoiding staring. It’s essential to teach students the difference between appropriate eye contact when conversing and staring, which can make others feel uncomfortable. This blog post will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity to help students understand the importance of appropriate eye contact and the impact their actions can have on others.

No-Prep Activity

This activity requires no preparation or materials and can be done in a classroom setting. The goal is to help students recognize the difference between appropriate eye contact and staring.

1. Ask students to form pairs and sit facing each other.
2. Explain the activity’s purpose: to practice making appropriate eye contact during a conversation and to avoid staring.
3. Have students take turns sharing a short story or experience with their partner, encouraging them to maintain eye contact while talking.
4. After each student shares their story, ask the listener to provide feedback on the speaker’s eye contact. Was it appropriate, or did it feel like staring?
5. Discuss the importance of considering others’ feelings during social interactions, especially when it comes to eye contact and staring.

Discussion Questions

After the activity, use these questions to stimulate further discussion:

• How did it feel to maintain eye contact during the conversation? Was it difficult or easy?
• Can you think of a time when someone stared at you? How did it make you feel?
• Why is it important to be aware of our eye contact and avoid staring in social situations?
• How can we practice being more conscious of our eye contact and the feelings of others?
• What other social skills are important to consider when interacting with others?

Related Skills

In addition to understanding appropriate eye contact and avoiding staring, other relevant skills for students to develop include:

• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker and showing genuine interest in their words.
• Respecting personal boundaries: Recognizing and respecting others’ physical and emotional boundaries in social situations.
• Empathy: Putting oneself in another person’s shoes and understanding their feelings and perspectives.
• Nonverbal communication: Being aware of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to convey a message effectively.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about teaching students the importance of appropriate eye contact and avoiding staring, it’s time to explore more social-emotional learning resources. Sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech to continue fostering healthy social interactions among your students.