A Time to Talk – A Time to Listen

Before the meeting:

1. Be familiar with the Cub Scout sign, see Additional Resources.

During the meeting:

1. Have Cub Scouts and their adult partners gather.
2. Demonstrate the Cub Scout sign and tell the Cub Scouts and adult partners that the Cub Scout sign represents the ears of a wolf.
3. Inform Cub Scouts and adult partners that when they see someone use the Cub Scout sign it means everyone stops what they are doing and listens.
4. Give everyone a chance to demonstrate the Cub Scout sign.
5. Practice using the Cub Scout sign by having Cub Scouts and adult partners talk to each other and make a lot of noise, then without saying anything, make the Cub Scout sign and wait for everyone to stop what they are doing to listen.
6. Remind Cub Scouts and adult partners that the Cub Scout sign gives us a way to communicate without having to talk over or yell to get everyone’s attention.
7. Create pairs made up of two Cub Scouts and their adult partners. Have them get to know each other by sharing what they like to do as a family, what their favorite food is, and what their favorite color is.
8. When it looks like everyone is done, use the Cub Scout sign to get everyone’s attention to move on to the next activity.

Tip – When using the Cub Scout sign, patience is key. Do not talk over or yell to get the attention of Cub Scouts. Use the Cub Scout sign and wait for everyone to place their sign up and stop what they are doing and listen. Avoid calling out “signs up” or any other verbal command.