The Six Human Connection Competencies™

Students practice beginning conversations, asking open-ended and follow-up questions, sharing ideas respectfully, building on another person's contribution and concluding conversations thoughtfully.

Students practice giving attention in accessible ways, waiting when appropriate, listening for meaning, clarifying, remembering relevant details and responding to what was actually said.

Students practice welcoming, inclusion, appreciation, encouragement, respectful difference, cooperation, boundaries and age-appropriate repair after mistakes.

Leadership is treated as responsibility and service rather than popularity, control or public performance. Students can practice noticing group needs, helping others contribute, following through, sharing responsibility, and knowing when to step forward or step back.

Students can pause to notice what they learned, what they observed, what they might try differently and what they want to carry forward. Reflection may be spoken, written, drawn, private or supported through another communication method.

Presence means intentionally making room to notice the current moment, people and surroundings. In The Fika Classroom™, presence is not a requirement to be still, silent or visually focused in one prescribed way.

The six competencies are taught as connected rather than isolated. Conversation benefits from listening; relationships can create contexts for leadership; leadership can benefit from reflection; and presence can make room for attention. The framework uses these categories as an organizing structure, not as claims that every student must demonstrate them in the same way.