2019 AIN World Conference at Stony Brook

As a component of Applied Improvisation, non-verbal communication has universal applications. To be effective non-verbal communicators, we need to allow ourselves to rethink our conventional patterns of communication and behavior, take mild risks, learn alternatives, and work on our self-awareness. Often, non-verbal communication is underutilized in our emotional (reactive), communication (verbal), and cognitive (thinking) problem solving. Yet, learning more non-verbal communication strategies can provide better balance in our personal development. For example, parents and teachers tend to talk too much when problem solving and when in stressful situations with children and adolescents. Often, adults miss numerous opportunities to be more effective, have more fun, and prevent power struggles and behavior problems by talking less and replacing or supporting their words with non-verbals. This workshop helps participants gain awareness of their difficulties with non-verbal communication and examines its many dimensions – space, time, movement, visual, sensory-based activities, and props – everything that is part of improvisation, that we can develop in ourselves to become better communicators.  Participants will learn techniques from positive behavior shaping and Structured Teaching, and they will gain knowledge from evidence-based resources about improving interaction by enhancing non-verbal skills. They will examine and practice applications for parenting, interpersonal relationships, and work relationships. This will include strategies for creating more inclusive opportunities for individuals and groups – young and old – who may be overlooked, under-valued, or misunderstood when their communication is different from ours or more limited.