1.  Make eye contact; use relaxed posture and face
2.  Listen to the instructions
3.  Ask questions if you don't understand
4.  Follow the instructions
5.  Check back when done

When introducing this skill, as with any of the skills, you want to give time for discussion.  When you state that you should make eye contact, explain why it is important to do this.  Use this kind of discussion format for all of the steps, and when you have gone through all of the steps, have each student do a role-play to show that they understand them.  Revisit this skill as much as is needed, and reinforce it in the classroom.  Use cueing such as, "I'm about to give instructions," or remind students to use the skill when processing behavioral incidents with them:  "You could have used your following instructions skill here.  Let's role-play it."  

A poster hanging on the wall with the steps (or an abbreviated version of the steps) will help students remember to use the skill, and it will guide them through the steps of the skill when they need it.  

Giving Positive Feedback

1.  Make eye contact; use a relaxed facial expression
2.  Give the feedback
3.  If the person responds negatively, give the feedback again
     --still negative, drop it for now
4.  If the person responds positively, lead into a conversation

Let the students know that "positive feedback" is complimenting someone or saying thank you.  Practice two role-play scenarios with this skill:  a) when people respond positively to compliments, and b) when people respond negatively to compliments (those people need practice with the accepting positive feedback skill--see below).

1.  Make eye contact; use a relaxed facial expression
2.  Listen to the feedback
3.  Say "Thank you," and lead into a conversation

Doing this skill together with giving positive feedback is necessary.  Students can role-play together; one does giving and the other does accepting.  Then their roles can switch.  It is also important to remember to brainstorm with students where and when they might give and receive compliments.  Also discuss what the consequences are of not giving compliments and of not accepting compliments.

1.  Make eye contact; use a relaxed posture and serious face
2.  Ask if you can speak with the person
3.  Say something positive
4.  Give the feedback with a reason
5.  Ask if the person understands
6.  If yes, then thank the person
7.  If no, then repeat the feedback

REMEMBER:  NO PUT-DOWNS!

Make sure that students practice all kinds of scenarios for this skill because it is something they will help them have better relationships with peers, friends and family.  Students should also understand that feedback should be given about something that the person can change (ie:  behavior) not about something that the person has no control over.  It is also important to point out that this is not a way to put someone down, but to give constructive feedback.

1.  Make eye contact; use a relaxed posture and serious face
2.  Listen to the feedback
3.  Apologize and offer a suggestion for change
4.  If you don't understand, ask to have the feedback repeated and/or explained
5.  If given by an authority figure:  accept it for now

Help students remember not to argue back or raise their voice when learning this skill.  Often we will be in a situation where someone has not given feedback appropriately but we still need to accept it in a good way.  This skill is very important for the working world and will help a student at a job.  Help students understand that negative feedback really means constructive criticism.  Usually someone giving feedback is trying to help.