A storytelling-based activity where listeners practice deep listening, reflect key themes and emotions, and ask open-ended questions to encourage further reflection.
Story Reflection for Active Listening
- Active Listening, Communication Skills, Storytelling
Introduction
Objective/Description
This activity uses storytelling to help mentors practice active listening specifically with girls. Mentors ask the mentee to share a meaningful story or experience, and the mentor’s role is to listen without interruption and reflect back key themes, emotions, or perspectives shared.
Steps/Process
- Invite the Mentee to Share: Ask the mentee to share a story about something meaningful to them—this could be a recent achievement, a challenge, or an everyday experience they enjoyed. Encourage them to share in their own words without focusing on specific details.
- Practice Deep Listening: As the mentee speaks, the mentor practices active listening, noting key points, emotions, and body language. The goal is to listen without planning a response, focusing entirely on the mentee’s story.
- Reflect Back Key Themes: After the story, the mentor reflects back the main points and emotions observed, using phrases like:
- “It sounds like that moment really made you feel…”
- “I noticed you felt especially proud/excited/frustrated about…”
- “What I’m hearing is that this experience meant a lot because…”
- Encourage Further Exploration: Follow up with an open-ended question based on the mentee’s story to encourage more reflection, such as “What did you learn from that experience?” or “How did that make you feel afterward?”
Conclusion/Outcome
This activity emphasizes the mentor’s role in deeply understanding and validating the mentee’s perspective. It helps mentors learn to listen fully, making mentees feel valued and confident as they share their experiences.
Please Share:
