1. Warm-Up
List as many ways that you can think of that people communicate with each other. Circle the three that you do most.
Think back 5 years. Were these the three that you used most then. What about 10 years ago?

2. Communication Skills
Lesson 10

3. Objectives:
Classify forms of communication and apply criteria for using passive, aggressive or assertive communication
Analyze and demonstrate communication skills needed to build and maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, peers and others
Apply communication skills that demonstrate consideration and respect for self, family, friends and others
Demonstrate strategies for communicating needs, wants and emotions in healthy ways

4. Communication
Critical in building and maintaining healthy relationships
When done effectively, you send clear messages to others
Also refers to correctly interpreting messages received, and responding appropriately

5. Communication Styles Passive Aggressive Assertive
Inability or unwillingness to express thoughts and feelings
These communicators do not stand up for themselves
“push-over”
Aggressive
Try to get their way through bullying and intimidation
These communicators do not consider the rights of others
These people often attack the person, not the problem
Assertive
Involves expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and directly, but without hurting others
These communicators defend their attitudes and beliefs, but also respect the rights of others
These people attack the problem, not the person

6. 3 Basic Skills of Communication
Speaking
Listening
Body language
If someone is deaf, can they be an effective communicator? Yes, they talk with their hands

7. Speaking Skills Do not assume that others can read your mind
Make your thoughts and feelings known
Changes in tone, pitch or loudness affect communications
Considerations:
When speaking about strong emotions consider using “I” messages to communicate your feelings without placing blame on another person
Remember, often times it’s not what you say, its how you say it
Ex: sarcastic tone,

8. Listening Skills
Active listening: paying close attention to what someone is saying and communicating
Techniques for active listening:
Reflective listening: summarize what the other person said
Clarifying: ask the speaker what he or she thinks about the situation being discussed, ask questions to make sure you understand what is being said
Encouraging: signal that you are interested by nodding or commenting on what is being said
Empathizing: show that you understand what someone else is going through
Empathizing would not be appropriate if the action goes against your values

9. Non-Verbal Communication
Body language: non-verbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors and posture
Eye contact or lack of eye contact
You want to make sure that your non-verbal communication and your words do not contradict each other so you do not send mixed signals
Eye contact shows interest and confidence, lack thereof could signal embarrassment or ashamed

10. Eliminating Communication Barriers
Image/Identify Issues: teens who are searching for their identity (a sense of who they are) the communication process could be complicated
Unrealistic Expectations: avoid posing unrealistic expectations on your listener as this could lead to frustration on your part and their part
Lack of Trust: foundation of good communication; without trust good communication will be difficult
Prejudice: unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people.
This prevents a person from having an open mind
Demonstrating tolerance (accepting others’ differences and allowing them to be who they are without showing disapproval) will help you to understand and recognize the value of diversity
Gender Stereotyping: type of prejudice that involves having an exaggerated or oversimplified belief about a certain gender
Unrealistic expectation: talking to someone about something they have no interest in, using scientific terms to someone who wouldn’t understand them,

11. Constructive Feedback
Constructive criticism: non-hostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement
Intended to bring about positive changes
Delivered in a calm way
Not what you say but how you say it