Being listened to helps human beings in profound ways. When we absorb someone else’s relaxed attention, we can process and regulate our emotions, think our way through challenges, and engage in areas where we are inclined to disengage. "Equal listening exchanges" are a tool and a process that will support students to take risks as learners, build community, and nurture everyone's ability to handle challenging emotions when they arise.
Active listening is a skill that takes practice. Specific protocols will help students learn to use it well. Sustained practice in various settings will teach students how to move forward when they are confronted with academic, social, and emotional challenges.
The listening exchange below can be used on its own or along with Games to Nourish Community. For more on how to combine the two, check out Mini Lessons to Nourish Community.
See more in this series:
- Listening Exchange: Good and Poor Listening
- Listening Exchange: The Value of Equal Turns & Confidentiality
- Listening Exchange: Making Space for Emotions
Lesson 4: Working with Anger
It's useful to have students to participate in listening exchanges about anger when no one is angry. This will give students the opportunity to explore what makes them angry, what makes them feel that way, and identify where it comes from.
This way, when they are angry about something, they have the tools and skills to face it and communicate about it.
You may find it useful to look at our lessons on I-Messages and sharing anger triggers to use as part of these conversations.