Boys Town Social Skills

Following Instructions

•      Look at the person

•      Say “Okay”

•      Do what you have been asked right away.

•      Check back.

Accepting Criticism or a Consequence

•      Look at the person.

•      Say “Okay”.

•      Don’t argue.

Accepting “No” for an Answer

•      Look at the person.

•      Say “Okay”.

•      Stay calm.

•      If you disagree, ask later.

Greeting Others

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a pleasant voice.

•      Say “Hi” or “Hello”.

Getting the Teacher’s Attention

•      Look at the teacher.

•      Raise your hand.

•      Stay Calm.

•      Wait until the teacher says your name.

•      Ask your question.

Making a Request

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a clear, pleasant voice.

•      Explain exactly what you are asking for: say “please”.

•      If the answer is “Yes”, say “Thank You”.

•      If not, remember to accept “No” for an answer.

Disagreeing Appropriately

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a pleasant voice.

•      Say, “I understand how you feel”.

•      Tell why you feel differently.

•      Give a reason.

•      Listen to the other person.

Giving Criticism

•      Look at the person.

•      Stay calm.  Use a pleasant voice.

•      Say something positive or “I understand”.

•      Describe exactly what you are criticizing.

•      Tell why this is a problem.

•      Listen to the person.  Be polite.

Resisting Peer Pressure

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a calm voice.

•      Say clearly that you do not want to participate.

•      Suggest something else to do.

•      If necessary, continue to say “No.”

•      Leave the situation.

Making an Apology

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a serious, sincere voice.

•      Say “I’m sorry for…”, or “I want to apologize for…”

•      Don’t make excuses.

•      Explain how you plan to do better in the future.

•      Say “Thanks for listening.”

Talking with Others

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a pleasant voice.

•      Ask questions.

•      Don’t interrupt.

Giving Compliments

•      Look at the person.

•      Smile.

•      Speak clearly and enthusiastically.

•      Tell the person exactly what you like.

Accepting Compliments

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a pleasant voice.

•      Say “Thank you.”

•      Don’t look away, mumble, or deny the compliment.

•      Do not disagree with the compliment.

Volunteering

•      Look at the person.

•      Use a pleasant, enthusiastic voice.

•      Ask if you can help.  Describe the activity or task you are offering to do.

•      Thank the person.

•      Check back when you have finished.

Reporting Other Youths’ Behavior

•      Look at the teacher or adult.

•      Use a calm voice.  Ask to talk to him or her privately.

•      Describe the inappropriate behavior you are reporting.

•      Explain why you are making the report.

•      Answer any questions the adult has.

•      Thank the adult for listening.

Introducing Yourself

•      Look at the person.

•      Smile.

•      Use a pleasant voice.

•      Offer a greeting. Say “Hi, my name is…”

•      Shake the person’s hand.

•      When you leave, say, “It was nice to meet you.”

Staying on Task

•      Look at your task or assignment.

•      Think about the steps needed to complete the task.

•      Focus all of your attention on your task.

•      Only stop working on your task with permission of the nearby adult who gave you the task.

•      Ignore distractions and interruptions by others.

Completing Homework

•      Find out at school what the day’s homework is for each subject.

•      Remember to bring home necessary books or materials in order to complete your assignments.

•      Get started on homework promptly, or at the designated time.

•      Complete all assignments accurately and neatly.

•      Carefully store completed homework until the next school day.

Participating in Activities –

“Being a Good Sport”

•      Appropriately request to be a part of an activity.

•      Cooperate with others in the group, such as allowing others to take their turns.

•      Use a pleasant voice when talking to others.

•      Remember to accept losing or winning appropriately.

Getting Another Person’s Attention

•      Wait until the other person is finished speaking or is available to you.

•      Look at the other person.

•      Get that person’s attention by saying “Excuse me…”

•      Wait until he or she acknowledges you.  Proceed with what you wanted to say.

Responding to Teasing

•      Remain calm, but serious.

•      Firmly ask the person to stop teasing.

•      If the teasing doesn’t stop, ignore the other person or remove yourself.

•      If the teasing stops, thank the other person for stopping and explain how teasing makes you feel.

•      Report continued teasing to an adult.