3 Ways a Social Filter Can Support Student Communication

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What’s a social filter?

Communication is one of the foundations of school. When I think back to my elementary and middle school days, communication with my teachers and my peers is one of the first things I think about! Communication drives our relationships, our learning, and our decision making. Teaching about how we communicate is important. We want our students to have thriving relationships with their peers and teachers, and sometimes kids say things that kind of miss the mark. Often we have students who find themselves in this type of situation a LOT. This is why I love teaching students about the concept of having a social filter.

Introducing the social filter

I like to share with children that using a social filter is when you think about what you’re going to say before you say it. Is this a comment or a question I should keep in my head, or is it okay if I say it out loud? Teaching children the ways of determining this through questions and social awareness is a huge part of the skill!

This social script is a great introduction to social filters. I love that it’s simple to assemble, so kids can take ownership and create their own mini-book. The language in the mini book provides an overview of why we need to use a social filter, and what can happen when and if we don’t. This is a social script book that can be read many times, sent home, and used across settings in the school.

I Can’t Believe You Said That!

I love the book I Can’t Believe You Said That! By Julia Cook as a really tangible and connected way to reinforce using a social filter. This book offers many examples and offers nuance to many of the phrases and comments the character, RJ, says. This book can lead to really rich discussion about intention vs. impact, apologies, and why communication is so important.

This SEL Book Companion Pack dives head first into this book with comprehension and reflection questions, story maps, hands on sorts, and more. Connecting literature to an important social skills and communication topic can make a huge impact on student understanding and behavior.

Practice, Practice, Practice

I think it’s really powerful when kids think and discuss strategies and scenarios. What impact has communication had on their lives? Their friendships? When lessons are a “one and done” experience, students often forget the impact and importance of the skill that had been targeted. Having a variety of activities to return to for continued and repeated practice is such an impactful way to keep the lesson alive!

Within this social script product, there are extension worksheets that can be used with whole groups, small groups, counseling sessions, social work groups, or with individual students to practice identifying the skill of a social filter.

I also love this THINK classroom display. The concept of THINK as a social filter framework isn’t new, but pairing it with the provided scenario cards can make it extra meaningful. I have always found that without some continued acknowledgment and structured activities, anchor charts and wall displays just become wallpaper on the walls. Using one or two scenario cards per week during transition times can help students remember the display’s purpose. I also love referring to the wall display when analyzing situations from characters in read alouds!

Many times, we can assume that a school speech language pathologist or social worker will be the ones to teach and reinforce these topics. In some cases, that’s totally true! Not every student qualifies for these services, so it’s important that all school sttaff have some tools like these in their toolboxes to support kids. In what ways can and will you support students in developing a social filter? Check out this bundle of resources to have some tangible and structured activities available at your fingertips.