Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to learn how to be a supportive peer by practicing peer counseling skills. Introduce yourself and briefly explain why building these skills matters.

Define peer counseling: it’s when students help each other by listening and offering support. Emphasize it’s not therapy but caring conversations among friends.

Highlight the three core skills. Explain that today’s activities will focus on practicing each.

Explain why eye contact matters: shows attention and respect. Model looking at a partner while they speak, then glance away to avoid staring.

Introduce reflective statements. Give examples: “It sounds like…” or “You’re saying that…” Invite students to practice echoing back.

Discuss nonverbal gestures: nodding, open posture, facial expressions. Model each and have students copy.

Clarify open vs. closed questions. Provide sample questions and ask students to convert a closed question into open.

Review all skills quickly. Then explain the role-play activity: one student speaks, the other listens and uses these skills. Partners will switch.