Need help approaching new people and making conversation? If so, then this class is for you!  In this class we will learn strategies & techniques that will give you the ability to succeed. There are two parts to consider...making friends and keeping friends.  In this class we will focus on the first part of meeting people, making friends and making conversation. This class, which is suitable for beginners will take the mystery out of the process by providing actual formulas, checklists and strategies. We will also be applying the techniques in the "real world" through our projects and assignments. 

The sections are organized as follows:

Lesson One: Before the Conversation. Self-Talk & The Power of your mind
Explore what to do before the conversation even begins. We will build confidence and turn around negative beliefs by identifying and categorizing self-talk. By learning how to use the reframing technique we can change our minds "narrative" or stories about how we interact with others. We will do a mind experiment together to illustrate how your brain believes what you tell it.

Lesson 2: Decoding Body Language & Nonverbal Communication
  In this section we will discuss nonverbal communication/body language. We will identify open vs closed body language and decode what other's nonverbal signals are actually saying. We will also go over how to use our own body language to portray a positive impression. We will learn techniques such as modeling, acting "as if" and mental rehearsal. This section includes a checklist to decide if we are ready to approach someone and if their body language says they are open to a conversation.

Lesson 3: Conversation Starters
In this section, we will learn how to make conversation "out of thin air" by looking at four formula's we can apply to take the guesswork out of getting things started. We will learn how to observe the person and situation to make sure that our starter is relevant.  Also, will address the action of moving on when things don't work out as planned.

Lesson 4: Bait, Friend Detective and Conversation Components
In this section we will discuss how we can use bait to attract people to us or use it to start conversations with others. We will learn how to find common interests with people by being a friend detective. Also, a ping pong ball will be used as a visualization on how to conduct a good conversation. We will go over the A.L.A.R.M formula which will include learning about active listening.

 Each section will include a video where we will go over a certain concept usually through a google slide presentation.  Some videos will have us doing activities "together" either with props, games, experiments or slides as they learn a particular skill.  Each section will also have a google form/quiz to reinforce what was learned. Projects may include a video/audio or typed response in the classroom.  Our Real-World Lab Observation Sheet will record what happened as your child puts the skills into practice in "real life" as they write down what happened and evaluate what worked and what could be improved.  All assignments will have a dedicated video explaining what to do.  Feedback can be expected within 24-48 hours of submittal. 

This self-paced class format gives your child the flexibility to watch the videos and do the projects at times that are convenient for them. It also is great for kids that want to take small steps privately (as opposed to a live class) while they learn social skills.