Listening and speaking are a team
A good conversation has two important jobs. One person speaks, and another person listens. Then they change jobs. Taking turns helps everyone feel heard and helps the group understand one another.
Learning goals: tell who is the speaker and who is the listener; show three listening actions; wait for a turn; give a reply that matches what was said.
The speaker's job
The speaker shares one idea at a time. The speaker uses a clear voice and words that are kind. A speaker can say, “I saw a red bird,” or ask, “What did you see?” When the idea is finished, the speaker pauses so another person may talk.
The listener's job
The listener makes the body calm, turns attention toward the speaker when comfortable, and lets the speaker finish. The listener thinks about the words. A nod, a short answer, or a matching question can show that the message was heard.
How a turn travels
Five listening actions
- Stop: pause your own words and other activity.
- Face or attend: point your attention toward the speaker in a way that feels comfortable.
- Hear: let the speaker finish without calling over the words.
- Think: remember the most important idea.
- Reply: answer, ask a related question, or say what you heard.