Let your body language support not contradict your message:

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I have been interested in body language for many years. I know it can be a very useful tool for self-expression and analyzing someone’s attitude or behavior. I’ve learned a few things in recent years and thought I’d share how body language can contribute or cut away from the success of a lesson. I hope the following lesson can be of help to youth ministries, family devotionals and family home evenings.

As we prepare our lesson we need to also keep in mind how we express our ideas through our body language. I would like to give some specific examples:

–          If we want to teach about love, bring your arms/hands toward yourself as you speak about it.

–          To share the principle of being open and honest, you might extend your arms out to illustate yourself as open and receptive to another’s opinion. We would want to avoid folding our arms as that depicts we be closed against an outside opinion.

–          One of my personal challenges is remembering to smile when I do a speech or I’m doing storytelling. A smile depicts that you are happy to be there with your audience/class/family/Mistry It also depicts that your are excited and convicted to the message you are sharing. Your body language tells how much you believe what you are saying.

–          Another example is that if you say you care for someone but at the same time you use your arms/hands in a pushing away motion, then your body contradicts with your words.

–          Finally, consider tone of voice, and maintaining eye contact with your audience. Some presenters will actually maintain eye contact with specific people to rivet them to the message.

These are just a few body language related issues to keep in mind when teaching lessons/classes to others

If you have some to add to the list, please feel free to add them in the comment section of this blog. Thanks.

 

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