Active and Constructive Responding (ACR)

Duration: 45–60 minutes
Participants age: Middle school and high school students
Subjects: Mentor time
Well-being area: Mental and social
Feasibility for teachers: Medium – requires preparation of examples and structured role-play
Student participation: High – students actively practice and role-play different response styles
Materials: Handout or poster explaining the four response types Optional: picture cards or prompts for storytelling Reflection sheets for discussion

Description

The activity includes:

Introduce the Four Types of Responses when someone is sharing something:
- Active Constructive: Show genuine interest, ask questions, and congratulate.
- Passive Constructive: Congratulate briefly without elaboration.
- Active Destructive: Point out negative aspects of the good news.
- Passive Destructive: Show disinterest or change the topic.
- Provide clear examples for each type.
Practice ACR with Peers:
- Pair students and have them share good news, for example an exam grade.
- Encourage active listening and positive engagement.
Role Play:
- One student tells a story using prompts or pictures.
- Others respond using one of the four styles secretly chosen.
- Rotate roles so everyone practises being both the narrator and the responder.
Reflect and Discuss:
- How did different responses feel?
- How do positive responses contribute to trust, closeness, and confidence?

To teach students constructive communication skills that build positive relationships.

Uusitalo, L. & Vuorinen, K. (2022). See the Good! How to guide children and adolescents to find their character strengths. Positive Learning.
Passmore, J., & Oades, L. G. (2022). Positive psychology techniques–Active constructive responding. Coaching Practiced, 457-460.