Body Language - School Tools printable pdf download

Body Language - School Tools

Body Language

Communication is mostly nonverbal! For instance, walking up to someone in

an intimidating way might make it harder for you to constructively resolve a

conflict you have with him or her. For this reason, it is important for conflict

resolvers to pay attention to their own non-verbal cues and those of others. The

following chart provides some examples of body language cues.

Eye Contact

Tone of Voice

-Lack of eye contact and looking at

-A shaky voice may mean that a

other things, i.e., cell phone, indicates

person feels under pressure.

lack of listening.

-A calm and gentle voice usually

-Direct eye contact demonstrates that

means that the person is open to

a person is listening and interested,

sharing.

but in some cultures this can be

-A loud voice may convey anger.

offensive.

-A low voice may mean that the

person is not clear or certain of what

they are saying.

Posture

Facial Expressions

-Sitting up straight indicates calm.

-A relaxed face welcomes people to

-Leaning forward may convey wanting

talk and share.

to dominate, or it may indicate

-A threatening face puts barriers

interest.

between the people in conversation.

-A person who leans back could be

-Rolling eyes is often seen as an

guarded or might not care.

offensive facial gesture.

-Closed arms may convey

guardedness or non-caring.

-Fidgeting might indicate worry.

-Slouched posture may indicate a

feeling of guilt.

Body Language - School Tools