What Do We Have in Common?

Have you ever wondered where to start a conversation? The easiest place to start might be “finding common ground” for both parties. The “Green Zone Conversation Book” provides “a visual representation of common ground between one person (blue) and the other person (yellow) to create a ‘green zone’ that represents the pair’s shared zone of interests. The ‘Bright Green Zone’ refers to successful conversations on topics that are primarily of interest to the other person, rather than oneself” (Shaul, 2015).

For example, if I really enjoy Disney movies and my friend also enjoys Disney movies, then the easiest place to start a conversation would be our shared interest in Disney movies. While it might be easy for some people to find their “green zone”, it might take more work for others. This is why questions and comments are important to a conversation. We need to ask questions to find out more information about others but we also need to make comments and give compliments to others to show that we are interested in what they are saying. 

Question suggestions could be: 

• “What do you like to do for fun?”

• “What’s your favorite game to play?”

• “What’s your favorite tv show/ movie / book?”

• “Do you like sports?”

Comment suggestions could be:

• “That’s cool!”

• “Awesome.”

• “That sounds interesting.”

• “That’s too bad.”

• “You know a lot about that.”

Encourage your children to engage in conversation about their interests but also encourage them to wonder and ultimately ask questions about their peers interests, in turn creating a conversation that is beneficial for both sides!

Shaul, J. (2015). The green zone conversation book: finding common ground in conversation for children on the autism spectrum. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.