Life Skills
Juniors (Ages 8-11)
15 min
How to Start a Conversation with Someone New
Tutorial Preview
1
The Hook
Have you ever seen someone at the playground or in the lunchroom and wanted to talk to them? But your brain goes blank and you can't think of what to say? It happens to everyone. The good news is, starting a conversation is a skill, like kicking a soccer ball. You can practice and get better at it.
2
The Real Talk
It can feel scary to talk to someone new. You might worry it will be awkward. But here’s a secret: the other person is probably nervous, too. Researchers found that most people are actually happy when someone else says hi first.Starting a conversation is simpler than you think. You don't need a perfect plan. You just need one good first sentence. Here are some things to remember:Body language matters. This is how you use your body to talk without words. A small smile and looking toward the person shows you are friendly. People decide if they like someone in just a few seconds, mostly based on this.Start with what's around you. The easiest way to start is to talk about something you both see or are doing. This is called a situational opener.Ask questions. Asking someone about themselves is...
3
The Story
Nia was at a weekend soccer camp. She was 11 and didn't know anyone. Everyone else seemed to be in groups, laughing. She felt a knot in her stomach. Then she saw another girl, Amara, sitting alone, staring at her new cleats. Nia took a deep breath and walked over. "Hey," she said, "those are cool cleats. Are they new?" Amara looked up, surprised, and smiled. "Yeah! My grandma got them for me." They started talking about soccer, their favorite players, and school. It wasn't awkward at all. Nia realized Amara was probably just as nervous as she was, waiting for someone to say hi first.
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Beginner
Mateo is in the lunch line and sees a new student, Kai, standing quietly. What is the simplest and friendliest way for Mateo to start a conversation with Kai?
A.Smile and say, "Hi, I'm Mateo."
B.Ask Kai what his favorite food is.
C.Wait for Kai to say something first.
D.Tell Kai a long story about his own lunch.
Beginner
According to the lesson, what is a 'situational opener'?
A.A question about someone's family.
B.A comment about something you both see or are doing.
C.A compliment about someone's personality.
D.An invitation to join a game later.
Beginner
Arjun is nervous about talking to a new student, Hana, during recess because he's worried it will be awkward. What does the lesson say Arjun should remember about how Hana is probably feeling?
A.She is probably not interested in making new friends.
B.She is probably waiting for someone popular to talk to her.
C.She is probably just as nervous as he is.
D.She is probably judging what he is wearing.
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