ACT Skills

The Connect skills are Social Awareness & Relationships, Communication, and Teamwork.

These skills help young people make contributions to their community, and develop healthy, supportive relationships with peers and adults, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. When young people Connect, they work constructively and cooperatively with others, empathizing with and taking the perspective of peers, advocating for their views respectfully, understanding social and ethical norms for behavior, and sharing ideas clearly and compellingly.

Not only are Connect skills useful for a young person’s ability to interact with others, but these skills have also been shown to influence academic success and engagement in the classroom (Pierce et al., 2010; Caprara et al., 2000; Furrer & Skinner 2003). Teamwork and communication are considered two of the most important skills by employers (American Management Association, 2012). Relationship-building is an important aspect of achievement in school for all ages (Birch & Ladd, 1997; Arbreton et al., 2009).

Social awareness and relationships involves empathizing with and taking the perspective of others; understanding social and ethical norms for behavior; and cultivating positive, supportive connections with friends, classmates, and adults.

Research shows that social awareness and relationships are important for academic achievement and engagement in the classroom at all age levels. Young people with strong social awareness and relationship skills will show respect and consideration for their peers, form friendships with peers, share interests and ideas with adults, and demonstrate disagreement or ask questions in a respectful manner.

Communication is making clear and compelling oral presentations, sharing ideas, clarifying information as needed, and adapting communication styles to meet audience needs.

Communication is important for interacting with others and conveying one’s thoughts and feelings, but communication skills are also important for career preparedness. Young people with strong communication skills will share ideas or information with others effectively, ask and answer questions, listen actively, and be able to summarize key points.

Teamwork is the ability to work constructively and cooperatively with others.

Research shows that teamwork is linked to improved academic achievement and improved self-efficacy. Young people with strong teamwork skills compromise during disagreements, listen to different points of view, and know how to give and receive feedback.