Introduction

Eye contact is a crucial aspect of communication, especially for young learners. It shows attentiveness, interest, and respect during a conversation. This skill is an essential component of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and helps in building positive relationships with peers. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of eye contact for PreK students and provide an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach this valuable skill.

No-Prep Activity

Here is a simple and effective activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator:

The Eye Contact Game

1. Ask the students to sit in a circle.
2. Explain the importance of eye contact in communication and how it shows that we are listening and interested in what the other person is saying.
3. Instruct the students to take turns speaking about their favorite activity, toy, or anything they feel comfortable sharing.
4. While one student is speaking, the others should practice making eye contact with the speaker.
5. After each student has had a turn, discuss the experience with the class and ask how they felt when their peers were making eye contact with them.

Discussion Questions

1. How did you feel when your friends were looking at you while you were speaking? How did it feel when they were not looking at you?
2. Why do you think it is essential to make eye contact during a conversation? How does it help us connect with others?
3. Can you think of a situation where making eye contact might be challenging? How can you try to overcome this challenge?
4. How can eye contact help us understand how someone is feeling during a conversation?

Related Skills

Besides eye contact, there are other essential communication skills that PreK students can benefit from. Some of these skills include:

• Active Listening: Encourage students to listen carefully to what the speaker is saying and respond appropriately. This skill helps in better understanding and fosters positive relationships.
• Nonverbal Communication: Teach students about body language, facial expressions, and gestures that can convey messages without using words.
• Turn-taking: Help students understand the importance of taking turns during a conversation, allowing each participant to speak and share their thoughts.
• Expressing Feelings: Guide students in expressing their emotions and thoughts effectively, helping them build emotional awareness and empathy.

Next Steps

Teaching eye contact and other communication skills to PreK students is an essential part of their overall development. These skills not only improve their communication abilities but also contribute to their social and emotional growth. To further support your students’ learning, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our skill-based materials that can help enhance your students’ Social-Emotional Learning journey.