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Creating Connections

For over a year now, a pandemic led to us being cooped for some time. Our colleagues, teachers, classmates, neighbors, friends, and family had to switch to online apps such as Discord, Zoom, and Skype. The only way to maintain a social was to remain active online. As we shift to in person, it is time to start practicing active social skills to create strong relationships. 

Start developing these social skills by watching 5 Ways To Create Stronger Connections. In this Ted Talk, Robert Reffkin speaks on five ways he connects to people. For example, handwritten thank you notes go a long way compared to an email or text. 

Here is a resource to start making new connections with the Family Partners of Morris and Sussex Counties' Youth Partnership group. This group is a way to learn about leadership, communication, and youth empowerment. An incentive to join is free picnics and trips like going to the Turtleback Zoo. 

Another way to practice social skills is learning how to read facial expressions.  For example, if a friend is angry but quiet, being able to respond to it by reading their face is a great skill to understand others. This is all a part of emotional intelligence which is the ability to be aware of another's feelings. Take the free emotional intelligence test to develop and understand the skill of reading facial expressions. *Check out the resources below 

How do you stay connected to people? And how did you do on the quiz? Let us know in the comment section below. Invite a friend and meet us virtually on the SPAN youth chat, Wednesdays from 3:00-3:30 PM. 

Author,

Jeremy Hayer

Resources:

The SPAN Youth Chat: The SPAN Youth Chat

Youth Partnership: http://www.familypartnersms.org/youth-partnership.html 

Test Your Emotional Intelligence: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/ei_quiz

Subscribe to SPAN’s YouTube channel: SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Link to SPAN’s website: www.spanadvocacy.org 

Link to SPAN’s Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know

We’re here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726



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