Conversation Skills
Session Tool
A skill building game for practicing real conversations: how to start them, keep them going, and end them in a friendly way. Play it together with your support professional, family member, or a friend.
Warm Up: Slang Check
Words like cool, looks sick, no cap, and vanilla mean different things to different people. The words we choose depend on WHO we are talking to and WHERE we are. Quick check before we play!
A friend says your new shoes "look sick." What do they mean?
Someone says "no cap" after telling you something. What are they saying?
Who is the BEST person to say "that movie was sick, no cap" to?
If slang might confuse someone, what could you say instead? Instead of "that was sick" you could say "that was really great." Same feeling, different audience.
A Conversation Has 3 Parts
Think of a conversation like playing catch. Someone throws, someone catches, and you keep tossing the ball back and forth until it is time to stop.
Open the door
Say hello and add one small thing. A greeting plus a question or a comment gets things moving.
Hey! How is your day going? Hi! I like your hat. Good morning! Busy day today?Keep the ball moving
When it is your turn, you can do one of three things. We call it TAG: Tell something, Ask something, or Give a compliment.
Tell: I went bowling this weekend. Ask: What did you do this weekend? Give: That sounds really fun!Close it kindly
Ending is not rude when you do it with a friendly signal. Say something nice, say you are heading out, and say goodbye.
It was great talking with you! I have to get going. See you later! Nice seeing you. Take care!Play catch with words. One person opens a conversation, the other keeps it going using TAG, then practice closing it. Switch roles after each round.
Facilitator Notes
- Model one full mini conversation first so the participant hears all 3 parts before trying.
- If they get stuck, prompt with "Tell, Ask, or Give?" as a verbal cue.
- Celebrate any close attempt, even an abrupt one, then shape it toward a friendly signal.
Memory Tricks for Conversations
Remembering names and details is hard for everyone. These three tricks make it easier.
Say the name right back
When someone tells you their name, use it right away. "Nice to meet you, Maria!" Saying it out loud helps your brain hold onto it.
The facilitator introduces themselves with a made up name. The participant repeats it back in their greeting. Do 3 rounds with different names.
Grab one anchor detail
You do not need to remember everything. Just pick ONE thing the person said, like "she has a dog named Max." Next time you see her: "How is Max?"
The facilitator shares 3 facts about their weekend. The participant picks their one anchor and asks a follow up question about it one minute later.
It is okay to ask again
Forgetting is normal! A polite ask fixes it fast: "I am sorry, can you remind me of your name?" People almost never mind.
Role play the moment of forgetting on purpose so it feels safe. Practice the recovery phrase until it feels natural and confident.
Practice Cards
Each card drops you into the MIDDLE of a real moment. The other person just said something, and now it is your turn. Real conversations do not wait, so try the response timer for an extra challenge!
When the timer is on, you get 10 seconds to start your response after the card appears, just like a real conversation. Turn it off any time to slow things down and talk it through.
You could say:
Then keep it going:
Close it kindly:
Word check:
Facilitator Notes
- Read the card OUT LOUD in character. Actually say the line to the participant so they respond to a real voice, not a screen.
- The timer builds real world pacing. Start with it off, then turn it on once they feel warm.
- Before revealing hints ask: "Is slang okay with this person, or should we keep it classic?"
- After each card ask: What went well? What was the hardest part? Would your answer change if the person was older or younger?
- 3 to 5 cards per session with real discussion beats rushing through all of them.
Wrap Up
Great work today. Close the session the same way we close a conversation: with something positive and a clear ending.
1. Which part is easiest for you: opening, keeping it going, or closing?
2. Which memory trick do you want to try this week?
3. Name one person you will practice a real conversation with before the next session.
4. Bonus: teach your facilitator one slang word and tell them who they should NOT say it to.
Have one short conversation this week using all 3 parts: open, keep it going with TAG, and close it kindly. Remember one anchor detail about the person and share it at the next session.