The Art of Conversation

The Art of Children’s Conversation: As seen on facebook!

rajmahalblog — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:33:50 +0000

Our new The Art of Children’s Conversation page, as seen on facebook.com/the.art.of.conversation.

The Art of Conversation^® for Children is the perfect way for children to become great communicators, learn about other people, better understand themselves, all as they enjoy great times and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Everyone wins!

The Art of Conversation^® for Children is one of the latest releases in a series of award winning games proudly brought to you by TAOC^®; it is highly acclaimed by parents, educators, therapists and best of all… kids love it!

TAOC^® helps children:
Speak well and with confidence.
Listen with interest and understanding.
Share ideas and feelings in a safe, non-judgemental setting that facilitates communication.
Learn about living and gain insights from others.
Put their complex and developing ideas into words.
Get to know families and friends, old and new.
Discuss effectively and respect the views of others.
Develop compassion for and interest in others.
Accept that differences need not create conflict.

"The Art Of Conversation is an extremely useful and valuable resource…"

– Good Teacher Magazine, NZ

Perfect for many occasions, the informative 16 page communication booklet provides guidelines and many variations on TAOC^®, including a solo version.

The 104 cards provide 200 conversation topics, carefully created and tested to promote and stimulate communication, plus 4 blank cards for children to personalise.

TAOC^® is fun for everyone and is also a highly effective therapeutic and educational resource for families, therapists, counselors, teachers, speech pathologists, language teachers, coaches, church leaders and more.

The Art of Conversation^® for Children can be purchased online from the following retailers.

United Kingdom

Australia

The complete list of retailers can be found at TAOC^® Online Store.

Tell us what you think!

rajmahalblog — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:38:18 +0000

Hello and welcome to The Art of Conversation® blog.

We feel a great sense of pride and joy when we hear how our TAOC® games have enriched your lives. From improving communication skills; building healthier, stronger relationships; providing knowledge and insight; introducing new ideas, feelings and experiences; and the list goes on…

Your words inspire us everyday to further our series with new games, and by introducing TAOC® to more and more countries around the world.

So whether you’re new to TAOC®, or have been using it for years, we’d love to hear your story.

It’s easy to do so, simply click on the “Comment” link just below this blog post. The comment link is next to a small picture of an empty talking box and a number showing the amount of comments we’ve received to this blog.

Note: You will be taken to a separate page where you will see this full blog post, as well as other peoples comments. At the bottom of the page is an online form, you can leave your own comments by filling it out and clicking the “Post Comment”.

You can return to the main page at any time by clicking the “Home” link at the top of your page.

A message from Elaine of Geelong

rajmahalblog — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:41:55 +0000

I was first introduced to TAOC Cards through a girlfriend. She invited a group of her friends out for drinks at a bar lounge, and she used the cards as a conversation starter. Shortly after I purchased a pack of my own! My friend has sadly passed away at 43 with cancer, so my TAOC Cards I will always hold dear to her memory.

Three years ago our eldest son spent a short visit home before returning to his work in Canada. Whilst he and I travelled to see his grandparents 3 hours away to say good-bye, I took TAOC Cards and we exchanged answers while travelling. It was a wonderful way to learn how our son had grownup and changed whilst living away.

He returned again last Christmas and we again travelled to his grandparents, this time as a family. With my husband sleeping, our two sons (who are now 26 and 23 years old) were asked questions by me from the TAOC cards. With our sons having been apart for 3 years, (and prior to that having only spent limited time together in the previous 5 years), the cards provided a wonderful tool for the boys to reconnect. With the wide range of questions, the answers were a mixture of serious, emotional and funny, but all honest and open. I was amused at times when one son would ask the other to check the question, as he felt I was making some of them up. We all found the activity fun and rewarding, so much so that on our return trip they asked if we could have TAOC Cards activity again. I have to say this trip was extremely enjoyable and the answers confirmed to me that our 2 boys have grown in to 2 fine men with wonderful values and personalities!

If you don’t have a copy of TAOC Cards you are missing out on a wonderful communication tool!!

A message from Ceri Hewitt

rajmahalblog — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:08:52 +0000

My name’s Ceri Hewitt, I believe you met my grandmother on a train from London few months ago. She was very enthused by the Art of Conversation games you told her about and passed the one that you sent her to me to use. I teach a Year 7 Transition class (the 11 year olds as they come up from primary school). Every Friday afternoon we have done something circle time based and I started using the cards after Easter. I’ve used them every Friday since and with great success. Aside from anything the children love the topics that we discuss! I’ve found that introducing and recapping the rules at the start of every game good for setting the tone and as they all take a turn at player 1 they enjoy enforcing the rules. Its been great for getting them talking in a polite and respectful manner and for learning about taking turns. The topics have also been really good for picking up the themes and often lead to more discussion. They’re questioning skills have also deve loped because they’re desperate to ask a really good question to whoever is answering! Overall, they’ve been really useful and I’m going to continue to use them with my new class in September. Thanks very much, we’ve all enjoyed them greatly! Ceri Hewitt

Help for families in conflict

rajmahalblog — Tue, 17 May 2011 04:28:33 +0000

As Michael Short descrbed so well in the Zone, The Age and SMH May 9 2011, there’s got to be a better way! for divorcing parents.
He speaks with Marguerite Picard, revolutionary divorce and family lawyer
to show that there is a better way than paying a fortune in the adversarial system.
Link to the article below.
TAOC can be particularly valuable for children, who are often caught in the middle of conflicts between their parents. Periods of parental relationship breakdown are associated with stress and behavioural problems in many children, especially if the parents seek to use children against each other,
TAOC means every child gets to have his or her say, regardless of their perceived status within the family. Parents often do not treat their children equally, often without realizing it. This can be related to gender, age, birth order or cultural norms. But it is important for all children to feel their experience is validated by getting a fair hearing.
When used in family counselling sessions, TAOC has led to improvements in children’s behavior and well-being, and participants have reported high levels of satisfaction.
In the midst of a relationship conflict or breakdown, it’s often difficult to say what we really mean – and to listen to what other family members are really saying. TAOC provides a safety valve by offering a structured way for the family to communicate at a difficult time.

TAOC for Food Lovers!

rajmahalblog — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:58:01 +0000

For all who love food, and eating, we are delighted to bring you the new TAOC title, The Art of Food Conversation. Available from all good book, gift and homewares stores. If you are having trouble finding it, enter the ISBN into the search engine of a book store 9780980843514 and TAOC Food should arise!
• Over 300 mouth-watering culinary conversation starters, plus Comprehensive Guidebook to Food Communication.
• Developed and researched by TAOC® creators with Sydney Food Editor, Trudi Hollinsworth, TAOC® offers new angles and avenues to think and talk about food, cooking and eating.
• It’s all about actively sharing conversations on all aspects of food and eating, e.g. ingredients (from abalone to zucchini), wild foods, sustainability, ethical eating, destinations, tastes, chefs, hilarious food quotes, favourite dishes from the classics to the cutting edge … in fact a smorgasbord for those who enjoy sharing recipes, hints and tips, remembering special meals, or planning new ones! Track food and menu changes, the rise and fall of overused ingredients, (truffle oil, anyone?), celebrity chefs, kitchen equipment from then to now, evocative fragrances and flavours that bring back times past. Even unadventurous eaters will be inspired!
Like all TAOC editions, it’s not a quiz – it’s never about who knows the most. Rather, it’s a communication tool that draws on your own experiences, thoughts and reactions to facilitate fascinating discussions. And perhaps best of all it brings friends and family genuinely closer in this age of instant messaging.
With hit TV shows, glossy ranks of gastro-porn at every newsagent and the return of the dinner party, food is enjoying a very high profile at present. Many of us have headed back towards the kitchen and in search of previously unknown ingredients, as well as continuing our passion for dining out.
Food contains an eternal contradiction. On the one hand it’s essential for life – in fact in Ancient Egypt, the words for ‘bread’ and ‘life’ were the same! But food is also as subject to the vagaries of fashion as heels or hemlines. Who’d have guessed the world’s best restaurant, Noma, in Copenhagen, Denmark, would feature oxalis and Christmas tree fronds on its menu?
Now, there’s a new way for us to mull over passions of the dinner table with the release of a delicious and unique game, The Art of Conversation: Food Edition.

TAOC – a Finalist in the Inventor Awards

rajmahalblog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:22:38 +0000

We are excited to be a top 4 finalist in the Inventor’s Awards. Over 100 applications were received, so we are delighted with the result. It seems that people are concerned with the need to connect and build good relationships. If you want to come to the awards night it is free of charge September 3 6:56 pm at he Capital Theatre, Bendigo, if you want to join us! (Gold Coin entry).

Congratulations – A message from Kylie Walker

cjhent — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:32:39 +0000

Hi Louise,

Thanks for the info! I was able to get TAOC today from Angus and Robertson as you suggested. There was another shop in Miranda that I saw it in but they were more expensive.

I have to congratulate you both on a wonderful resource. I am a mother of 2 and a gifted education consultant and am very impressed.

I will definitely be recommending TAOC to my clients and friends. The kids have not put the cards down since we got it!

Are you aware that it was featured in the NSWAGTC journal “Gifted”. I’ll email you a copy if you haven’t seen it.

Kind Regards,

Kylie Walker
B.Ed, SST- Therapist
Gifted Education Consultant
Sound Success

Present for 13yr old – A message from Tania M C Lewis

cjhent — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:33:22 +0000

Dear Louise and Keith

My son Rhys was given The Art Of conversation as a 13th Birthday present (presumably on the assumption that most 13 year old boys are monosyllabic!) and we all ADORE it. It is so stimulating and thought provoking.

For instance it asked the question what is the difference between being artistic and creative!!! Deep stuff

We have added a refinement – somewhere in a round you have to use a certain word -say, something like “liaise” or “acquire”! It raises the art to a higher level and increases the vocabulary of our 13 and 10 year olds.

Thank you so much for this game – it is clever and a lot of fun!!

warmest regards,

Tania M C Lewis

Welcome

rajmahalblog — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:16:08 +0000

Welcome to the TAOC blog – www.taoc.com.au

The Art Of Conversation is a fun game that can be played by all ages.