What Are Communication Activities, Exercises, And Games?
Certain activities, exercises, and games can teach children to communicate better. In most settings, adults decide the communication style and social norms. The rules of etiquette are also decided by adults. These days, it's revolutionary to teach communication skills in “kid terms” with room to advance the skills as children develop. Imagine a world where each adult practiced their face-to-face communication. The following are effective communication fundamentals:
- Empathy;
- Conversation skills;
- Established listening and speaking procedures;
- Respectful vocabulary;
- The power of the pause;
- Practice speaking and listening in natural settings;
- Introspection;
- Turn-taking.
Any activities, exercises, and games that include these fundamentals will improve skills in communication. Interactive games encourage children to express their needs. Plus, when kids see these activities as fun and engaging, the more likely they're to participate.
Guide For The Blindfolded:
Arrange your classroom in a way that is unfamiliar to the students, making sure that it is safe to get around. Have students pair up. One can wear a blindfold while the other is to function as the “eyes” and stand in a designated space. The goal is for the eyes to guide the blindfolded partner through the classroom through a specific path using only words. The fewer guidelines you provide, the more creative the students’ methods will be.
Guess The Object:
This is a fun game for kids to practice the power of description. Cut a hole in a box that is large enough for their hands. Ensure that they understand that they’re not allowed to peak into the hole. Place an object in the box. Have the child describe what the object feels like. Have the class take turns guessing what it might be.
Back-To-Back:
Again, students work in pairs and sit back-to-back. One describes a nonsensical drawing or diagram that is not simply replicated while the opposite student makes his or her best attempt at recreating the partner’s directions. Another variation is for the partners to try to fold a piece of paper within the same way without looking. The team whose items of paper are the closest match wins.
Feelings Corner:
Many times, children at this age have trouble act how they are feeling. Emotions is thus abstract; they'll not yet have the skills to recognize them at first. Have a designated area for kids to express these feelings, where a printout of an emotions wheel is on show. Have matching emojis that the kid can silently hand to their teacher. Create space during the day for the teacher to address these feelings with any participants. This creates a place for trust and understanding in an age group prone to outbursts when feeling misunderstood or wronged.
Active Listening Through Read-Aloud:
Even students in high school like to be told stories orally, even if they have access to the text themselves. They especially like it if there is no danger of them being called on to read aloud themselves. Whenever possible, attempt using an audiobook or other recording to guide any in-class reading, while students use a graphic organizer to take notes. You should also pause regularly for open-ended discussion. Along the same lines, activate the subtitles when watching a video, even in a space of students with perfectly good hearing. The combination of visual and audio communication increases understanding and retention.
No-Talk Day:
Nonverbal communication is just as vital, and it’s easy to provide students with practice in following nonverbal cues: just don’t speak. At the start of a day, use signals to let students know that the day will be spent using nonverbal communication, then continue to use signals throughout class when direction is required. Make it known that you expect them to do the same. Everyone will be amazed at how quickly a class “language” built on signals and nonverbal cues begins to form.