Group Games Lynne Hughes-Guy Ramesh Mehay Aims of this Session • • • • • • • Why Use Games How do you run a game? How do you build it into a programme? What types of games Examples of the greatest hits Pitfalls The booklet The Life Cycle of a Group Group Stage Characteristics (Adapted from Woodcock (1979) The Underdeveloped Stage Task orientated Poor listening skills Low level of involvement Leader, Individuals conform The Experimenting Stage The Consolidating Stage The Mature Stage Group realises difficulties Willing to tackle them Open & Trusting Approach More structured Flexibility Improved Relationships Trust, Openess, Honesty, Cooperation & Constructive Confrontation Why Use Games • EDUCATIONAL • GROUP DYNAMICS • Games are fun • Experiential learning • Safe environment (& Receptiveness) • Flexibility & Relevance • Promotes change • Involvement • Promotes cohesiveness • Interpersonal skills • Motivates • Encourages responsibility • Framework & Structure Running the Game • Game Preparation - homework (game selection, practicalities) • The Activity - giving instructions - allocating roles - ground rules - playing the game • Reflection and Discussion - importance of discussion - phases of discussion • Review You Facilitator Role Reflection/Discussion 4 things Phase 1 – expression of feelings Phase 2 – thoughts Phase 3 – planning for further action Phase 4 – evaluate the game Encouraging Participation • Make it Fun • Participants feel valued • Build trust - being listened to - ground rules - democratic style of - avoid exlusion games leadership - feedback (give & take) • Facilitator as a model - acceptance • Facilitator’s personal qualities How to build it into a programme talk game film group work close game Putting it into Practice Icebreakers Problem curers Ground Rules Openers Activities for team building Problems Main teaching Activity Evaluation & Closure Games Brainteasers Skill builder Energisers Types of Games • Icebreakers • Ground rule setting games • Energisers • Brainteasers • • • • Problem Curers Skill builders Closing Games Evaluation games Icebreakers (1) The boring traditional one What I Learnt Last Year What I like To do The most Important People in My Life Hobies etc… What I hold most dear My famous 3 minutes Icebreakers (2) • • • • Write down 5 facts about yourself. One must be a lie Present yourself to the others Others have to spot the lie Icebreakers (3) ANIMAL FINDER • Get some blank cards and write the name of four different animals several times • eg for a group of 12 : sheep x3, pig x3, cow x3, dog x3). • Give the cards out randomly..one to each person. • Ask the members to find each other by making an appropriate noise to that animal...but no speaking. Ground Rule Games TACADE, 1986 • • • • • • Listen to others Don’t put other people down Respect Confidentiality & Trust Show Respect Don’t Interrupt others Try to accept others views Mid Course Energisers DONT FALL INTO THE SEA • Lay out an appropriate number of chairs in a circle (according to your group size). • Get everyone to stand on the chairs. • The chairs are safety points floating in a sea which is full of sharks. • The task....the group has to arrange themselves in birth date order (day and month only....exclude the year). • BUT they must not fall into the sea! Brain Teasers • See later for examples Problem Curers (1) Dominant Talkers • A Personal Talk • Talk Limitation Exercise Problem Curers (2) Silent Sitters • Challenging them • Get them to Observe • Using Matchsticks Skill Builders • • • • • • Team building Communication skills Facilitator-Presenter skills Learning Perception & Lateral thinking games Self management Lateral Thinking 1 LEFT PRICE Answer: the price is right! Lateral Thinking 2 ESROH RIDING Lateral Thinking 3 S M O K E Lateral Thinking 4 G E L E N I S F Lateral Thinking 5 TEEXAMRM Lateral Thinking 6 LISTING LISTING LISTING LISTING Lateral Thinking 7 FORGOTTE Lateral Thinking 8 T P G S P N E I Lateral Thinking 9 1. FEET 2. HANDS 3. FACE Lateral Thinking 10 ME/REPEAT Lateral Thinking 11 BONBNET Lateral Thinking 12 PERSON Closing Games • Each participant is handed pieces of paper • Each paper has the name of other participants • Each participant has to write “ I am glad I met XXX because…….” • The pieces of paper are distributed to the appropriate people and read when they get home Evaluation Games • Lay out 5 chairs • Inform participants which is 1 and which is 5 (1 meaning bad, 5 good) • Ask a question • Participants have to stand behind the appropriate chair • Repeat with more questions Pitfalls – why games don’t work • • • • • Games not selectively chosen Timing Groups too big Poor Briefing/Feedback rules? Poor facilitation skills Why are we Writing a Booklet • Loads of books on games • Most are boring and traditional • This will be a collection of greatest hits!……….real funny stuff • Also included, activities for specific purposes eg encouraging to talk • For intending and established trainers When Will It Be Ready? • How long is a piece of string? • No, seriously, within the next 6m • £150-00 per book (just kidding!) • Keep them coming in (email us)