Conversation
Guide for Older Children
by James D. MacDonald
For me, conversations are the best part of my life. That's when I enjoy
people and learn the most. Here are a few things I've learned to make
conversations improve my life.
* FIND OUT WHAT YOUR PARTNER IS INTERESTED IN, then talk about that.
* SAY SOMETHING ONCE THEN WAIT for your partner to have his say.
* LOOK IN YOUR PARTNER'S FACE when talking to him.
* LEARN TO READ YOUR PARTNER'S FACE to see if he is interested or not
in what you are saying.
* IF YOU PARTNER DOESN'T LOOK INTERESTED, let him talk or say something
new.
* If someone doesn't understand you, TRY SAYING IT AGAIN; you can probably
say it clearer the second time.
* If someone still doesn't understand you, SAY SOMETHING ELSE.
* ASK OTHERS FOR HELP in keeping the conversation going longer.
* Sometimes, TELL PEOPLE YOU CAN TALK, if they think you can't.
* BE SURE NOT TO DO ALL THE TALKING; stop and wait for your partner
to have his say.
* FIND FRIENDS TO HAVE FREQUENT CONVERSATIONS WITH.
* Avoid saying the same thing over and over; SAY NEW THINGS.
* SAY ONE THING then let your partner take a turn.
* AVOID MONOLOGUES. Monologues happen when one person does all the
talking.
* DO THINGS TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE then talk about that.
* TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS with friends you trust.
* REALIZE THAT YOU KNOW A LOT; let people know that through conversations.
James D. MacDonald has been a Clinician
and researcher with children with language disorders since 1968. He was
Professor of Speech/Language Pathology and Director of the Parent-Child
Communication Clinic at the Nisonger Center, Ohio State University for five
years. He has directed the Communicating Partners Center in Columbus, Ohio
since 1995. Dr. MacDonald's website is http://www.jamesdmacdonald.org. |
