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Students practice active listening as a way to show respect for other people's ideas.
Have you ever told a funny story, but your friend was looking at their shoes and playing with a toy? Did it feel like they actually heard you?
When we listen with our whole bodies, we call it active listening. The most important part of active listening is using your eyes. When a friend or teacher is talking, we turn our heads and look at them. This shows them that our brain is ready to catch their words! Imagine your eyes are like flashlights; you want to shine your light on the person who is speaking. If there are speakers, you should have set of eyes focused on them.
Let's practice being a spotlight: 1. Find a partner. 2. When your partner says their favorite color, turn your head toward them. 3. Keep your eyes on their face until they are finished. 4. You have successfully used your 'eye spotlight'!
Quick Check
What is the most important thing to do with your eyes when someone is talking?
Answer
You should look at the person who is speaking.
Listening is more than just being quiet. It is a way to show respect. Respect means treating people like they are important. When you listen to someone's 'Big Question' or a story about their day, you are telling them, 'Your ideas matter to me.' It is like giving them a small, invisible gift. If we have ears and mouth, it is a good reminder that we should listen twice as much as we speak!
Imagine you are in a circle with 3 friends: 1. Friend A shares an idea about a new game. 2. You look at Friend A and nod your head. 3. Even if you want to talk, you wait until they are done. 4. By waiting and looking, you gave Friend A the gift of respect.
Quick Check
What does it mean to show 'respect' when someone is talking?
Answer
It means showing them that their ideas are important to you.
Think about a time someone really listened to you. How did it feel in your heart? Most people feel valued, happy, and safe. When we listen to others, we help them feel like they belong in our classroom. If , then the more we listen, the more happy hearts we have in our room! It makes our friendship stronger and helps us solve big problems together.
Try this experiment: 1. Tell a story to a friend who is looking at their feet. Notice how you feel. 2. Tell the same story to a friend who is looking at you and smiling. Notice the difference. 3. You will likely feel much better during step because your friend is being an active listener!
Where should you look when a friend is sharing an idea?
Listening to others is a way to show...
People usually feel sad when someone listens to their big ideas.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to remember the 'Eye Spotlight' rule. Who will you shine your spotlight on first?
Practice Activity
During dinner or snack time, practice looking at whoever is talking for the whole time they are speaking. See if they smile more!