ICY Toolkit by Tiia Soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit Collection of methods and activities of ICY Erasmus+ project en-us 2019-09-10 05:05:21 UTC 2025-09-26 03:20:51 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/368300516/c4ce8fb499a69873c4c38f658a159bdc/ICY_logo.jpg Ice Breaker tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381970228 Human Bingo
- Warm-up exercise
- Requires language skills
- It's recommended to edit the squares a bit depending on the topic of the training / type of group

How to run it?
- Give people time to read the squares
- Works for groups >8
- You need copies of the bingo and pens
- Open space for people will move around
- Explain the rules of the bingo (also found in the instruction sheet)
- Have fun!
- If the first Bingo! happens really fast, you may say that you'll wait for 3-5 Bingos; give people time to get to know each other.

Debriefing
- Ask the participants, what did they think of the exercise
  - what was difficult / was there something they didn't want to pick?
  - which ones were most fun?
  - was there something that felt awkward or difficult?

Purpose
- Get to know the team / Ice breaker
- Become more aware of your preferences in communication, touching/proximity, how the concept of face may play a role in such games (eye contact, what's embarrassing to do, is it OK to go close to a person that you don't know well..) 


]]> 2019-09-10 05:05:21 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381970228 Add here the observed methods and tools from ICY project tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381970237 Describe the tool, activity or method here in pictures, audio or text. If possible, describe the method in detail or make instructions in a way that another trainer in ICY would understand how it works without contacting you in person.

Activity:
How many trainers?
Group size?
Requirements for the place?
Equipment you need?
Language requirement?
How do you run the activity?
How does it help participants to feel more included?]]> 2019-09-10 05:05:21 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381970237 Trainers test the methods in their own groups tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381979025 - Try the method you can find here
- Take video/pictures of the process
- Collect feedback from your group (1-5 scale where 1 is they disliked it and 5 is they loved it)
- Trainer gives feedback (1-5 scale) and free feedback: How did it work? Would you change anything? Where/with what kind of group would you use it? Answers can be as video, audio or written form 
- Send the pictures and evaluation to Tiia and Daniel by WhatsApp or uploading them to Teams
- More details in the word document (old instructions)]]> 2019-09-10 06:01:14 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/381979025 Team Building oscar_coppieters https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/382115805 Dice Game
2 small adaptations, 

normally all start with same number of tokens and always transfer same amount.

introduction of referees who benefit those traditionally discriminated (i.e. women and/or pax w migration background)

]]> 2019-09-10 13:01:36 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/382115805 Energizer https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393612883 Hand, shoulders, knees and toes
Purpose: how to deal with increasing challenges in your life.

How to run it:
- use three different object (for ex. pawns in different colour)
- Two participants stand on each side of the objects
- The trainer gives instructions:
Head: is touch your head
Knees: touch your knees
Shoulders: touch your shoulders
Name of object (example: blue pawn): grab the object as fast as you can

Variations: make participants changes positions.

Debriefing: 
- How did you experience the game?
- What was the challenge and why?

Message: 
An increase of challenges in your life can be stressful and can cause making mistakes. For axample, a youngster has lot's of responsibilities besides his or her normal life: Taking care of a sick mother or father, working to pay the bills. 

]]> 2019-10-04 15:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393612883 Ice Breaker https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393612884 The 5 finger game
Purpose: Getting to know each other.

How to run it:
- One on one or in group you present yourself with the help of your hand:
1. Thumb: something your good at/what are your talents?
2. Index Finger: where do you want to go/what are your goals?3. Middle Finger: what do you hate/dislike?
4. Ring Finger: what/who are you loyal/committed to?
5. Pinky: what is something you want to work on/develop yourself in?

Debriefing:
- Ask for similarities;
- Ask for things that surprised you;

]]> 2019-10-04 15:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393612884 Energizer https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393617221 Rock Paper Scissors Evolution game
Purpose: to energize  

How to run it:
- Everyone starts as eggs (arms around your head), 
- you can evolve by winning a rock paper scissors game against an equal (so if your an egg, against another egg)
- If you lose you will devolve

The evolution forms are: 
Egg: arms around your head
Chicken: walk like a chicken
Dinosaur: walk like a dinosaur
Gorilla: fists against chest
Human: once your human you are out.

Debriefing:
- Did you have fun;
- How long did it take for you to become human?]]> 2019-10-04 15:18:59 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393617221 Ice Breaker https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393892055 Swap your I.D.
Purpose: Getting to know each other. 

How to run it:
- Think of four things you would like to know about each other. for example:
Name, celebrity crush, dream job, special person in your life.
- When the music plays you start to walk around the room. 
- When the music stops you introduce yourself according to the four subjects.
- Then you swap your I.D. with the person you introduced yourself to.
- When the music starts to play you walk around the room with a different I.D.
-When the music stops again, you introduce yourself to another person as the last I.D. you got.
- Make sure everybody swaps their ID about 5 times.

Debriefing:
- Everybody stands in a circle and introduces themselve as the last person's ID they swapped.
- How did it go? Was it difficult?
- Were all the ID's correct? 

Debriefing:]]> 2019-10-05 11:20:38 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393892055 Team Building https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393901785 The game If you really know me
1. Purpose/doel: you can use this game when the people trust eachother a little bit. So people would say some hard things in the second round of the game. Because of this game people start talking more with each other about the things what just were told. 
 
The game If you really know me
 
1. Everyone is standing in a circle. 
2. The leader start with the next line: I love...(pizza?)
3. The persons who also loving that making a step forward. 
4. Then the next person start also with the line "I love..." " and this person will say what he or she is loving. 
5. Till the last person than the leader is starting with a another line "if you really knew me you would know that my father passed away because of a car accident". 
6. This is a really thought part. So if someone is saying something others can put there hand up like a symbol for respect. You can see for yourself what kind of symbol you want.
7. At the end people can talk about their stories and that's the game all about the learn each other know better and start stories to speak with each other about it. 
 
3. Debrief/nabespreking: 
Ask the group to speak with each other and give some love to support. ]]> 2019-10-05 12:25:00 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393901785 Energizer https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393908089 Buffalo

Purpose: Having fun together in a group.

How to run it:
- Start counting in a group;
- One participant starts with 1, the one next to him 2, etc.
- When a participant reaches the number 21, he says ''BUFFALO''
- The participant who said Buffalo makes up a new rule for another number. (example: 1 becomes a handsign, 7 becomes 4.
- When a participant makes a mistake, they cheer!

Debriefing:
- Ask how it was to play the game;
- did they have fun?]]> 2019-10-05 13:01:01 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393908089 Energizer https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393909052 The Pinguin and the bear
Purpose: Having fun

How to run it:
- There is 1 pinguin and 1 bear;
- The bear has to tag the pinguin (bear acts/rawrs like a bear and the pinguin shuffles like a pinguin)
- The other participants (pinguins) stand in couples next to eachother;
- When the pinguin stand next to a couple he is safe, but the third pinguin has to run away from the bear;

Debriefing: 
- Did you have fun?
- How did it go?]]> 2019-10-05 13:06:19 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/393909052 Energizer tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363245 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM “Earthquake”
  • The group split in groups of 3, 2 of them holding both of each other hands and leaving a space in the middle for the third person to stand.

  • There has to be an extra person alone that will call either “left” (all the people standing at the left side of the trio hast to change places), “right” (the right person has to change places) or “center” (all middles need to change).

  • The fourth option, “earthquake” make everyone move and form new groups.




]]> 2019-10-23 11:09:45 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363245 Team Building tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363514 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM “The condition”
  • One volunteer leaves the room.

  • The youth worker explains to the group that all of them have the same condition, they are the person next to them, they need to behave, think and act like the person next to them.

  • The volunteer comes back and the youth worker explains that he/she is a doctor and needs to figure out what condition the group has by asking them questions.




]]> 2019-10-23 11:10:49 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363514 Ice Breaker tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363619 “The desert island”

  • Paper and pen for everyone.

  • First round: individually, each participant makes a list of 5 things to bring to a deserted island

  • Second round: in small groups they need to discuss to create one list with 5 items.

  • Third round: the whole group need to discuss to create a final list with 5 items.




]]> 2019-10-23 11:11:18 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363619 Reflection tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363731 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM “Would you rather”
Walk & Talk, preferably two or three young people from different backgrounds. Purpose is to have some and find common ground. 
  • Questions:

    • Would you rather go to prison 5 years for something you didn’t do or get away with something bad you did but living with the fear that you’ll be caught?

    • Would you rather travel 500 years in the past or 50 years in the future?

    • Would you rather lose the ability to lie or believe everything you are told?

    • Would you rather be free in a dangerous world or be completely safe but without being able to choose anymore?

    • Would you rather reverse a decision you make every day or stop time for 10 seconds once a day.

    • Would you rather have free WiFi wherever you go or have free coffee wherever and whenever you want?

    • Would you rather speak all languages or be able to speak to all animals?

    • Would you rather speak your mind or never speak again?

    • Would you rather know how will you die or when will you die?

    • Would you rather get away with lying every time or always know when someone is lying?

    • Would you rather be a chicken or a cow?



]]> 2019-10-23 11:11:45 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363731 Energizer tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363906 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM “Ninja”
  • All participants in a circle.

  • In order, each participant try to attack their neighbour hand on one hit, the neighbour can choose between counterattack or attack the next person.

  • If one participant has both hands hit, they are out.




]]> 2019-10-23 11:12:22 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363906 Team Building / Reflection tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363980 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM “Meeting clock - Walk and talk version”
  • Paper and pen for all participants. Each participant should have paper with an analogue clock printed on it (or drawn), they need to fix “meetings” with other participants, one per hour.

  • The youth worker calls the time and the topic of each meeting so all participants have a partner to discuss a specific topic.

  • Questions:

    • What is the main issue that young people face today?

    • If you could experience any event in History, Which one would you choose?

    • What thing doesn’t exist that someone has to invent?

    • If you could give the human being a quality, Which one would you choose?

    • How does Media influence us?

    • What would be a solution for Cyberbullying?




]]> 2019-10-23 11:12:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401363980 Ice Breaker tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401364119 From A.C.S.E.S.O YOUTH TEAM "Between Your Legs"
  • No materials needed. 

  • Gather all your participants in a circle-

  • First round, everyone says what’s their favourite film

  • Second round, they need to say “I have "my favourite film" between my legs”

  • This is usually just used to lighten the mood, break ice and usually results in laughter, especially as it's so silly. 

"I have Aliens/Jaws between my legs" usually raises a giggle. 



]]> 2019-10-23 11:13:12 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401364119 Team Building tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401364225 Introductions

Purpose: in the classroom or other more formal setting, get to know people beyond appearances, find things in common, see diversity in groups that may not appear diverse. Trust-building.

- Works best with groups up to 14 participants
- Facilitators may go first if the group hesitates. If a participant is ready to go first, allow them to do that.
- first establish your position as the leader of the group by telling about your expertise/education/experience -
- share something fun or silly about yourself: don't be afraid to laugh and show some vulnerability
- keep track of time : sometimes groups are very talkative 

Intro questions
1) name 
[and the meaning of your name, if you want to ask that]
2) educational background
3) cultural background [ask clarifications, if it's difficult to define your cultural background]
4) X-factor [something funny or unexpected about yourself]
5) hobby or sport]]> 2019-10-23 11:13:34 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401364225 Reflection tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401366882 D-I-E exercise
DIE: Any image related to your work will be ok. Works best if it's people. You can also act or choose a posture instead of image.

Purpose: get people to see how much interpretation and judgements they make even from very small amount of data. Show the variety of "truths" and interpretations of the same situation.

- Works with all sizes of groups. With large groups, debriefing may take longer.
- Divide the group into smaller groups of 3-4.
- Show them the image/video/act and tell them to write down or document otherwise "what do they see". Alternatively, you can ask them to describe what they see or describe what happened.
- Give a few minutes to do this.
- Ask each group to tell their answers and write them down on a blackboard/whiteboard etc. in categories D = describe, I = Interpret, E = evaluate
DESCRIPTION:  | What I See (only observed facts)
INTERPRETATION: | What I Think (about what I see)
EVALUATION: | What I Feel (about what I think, judgments, can be positive or negative)
- Get answers from all groups and repeat the question -> point out that we wanted description, not interpretation or evaluation, but as human beings we're prone to make quick judgements
- Highlight the value of heightened awareness in describing before interpreting and evaluating. The processes we use to describe, interpret, and evaluate are culture bound, and limit our ability to understand other cultures. Especially, if we allow ourselves to make quick judgments without stopping to describe. 



]]> 2019-10-23 11:24:18 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401366882 Reflection tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401367300 Monkey Business Illusion - video
Purpose: to show participants how biased our view of the situations is, and to show how expectations influence our perception

- works with all sizes of groups
- our experience is that young people may have seen something similar to this already, but that's not a problem (unless it's the exact same video)

Show the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY

How to do it:
- Tell people to count, how many times team wearing white passes the ball
- Show the video (stop at second 39)
- Ask how many passed did they see?
- Ask, if they saw something else? If people say "gorilla", ask how many people  saw/didn't see a gorilla?
- Ask if they saw anything else?
- Play the rest of the  video until "when you're looking for a gorilla..."-slide
- Ask, why did we show this video ? Listen to some answers and give examples of how this affects you in your daily work, what are the things you have missed - personal stories work best]]> 2019-10-23 11:25:52 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401367300 Team Building tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401381274 Orienteering or treasure hunt
Purpose: getting to know new people, instructors ,and a new physical environment Team-building, ice-breakers -> having a common goal and sense of unity. The activity teaches team work and navigating in urban/rural environment.

- this can be done with printed maps/pens or using gamification platforms
- works with all sizes of groups up to 50
- divide the group into smaller groups and place one or two instructors to each
- requires planning
- you can make it a competition

Printout version
Print out a map of the area you want to get to know
- mark checkpoints on the map
- go to checkpoints and leave an exercise there (it can be something simple like writing the groups name - shoe sizes - first letter of surname - everyone's favorite hobby etc. there . Or it can be something done with the instructor's phone like a group selfie/video of the group performing something...)
- after finishing all the tasks, there could be a small reward
 

]]> 2019-10-23 12:05:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401381274 Free play tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401389236 Purpose: fostering creativity, letting children choose the activity.

Facilitator/instructor builds safe environment and facilitates inclusion (nobody left behind, people from other groups can also join)

Requirements: enough instructors considering activity options, sports field or hall

Avoidance of over-scheduling the activities in the camp. Time for free play, creativity, collaboration in finding things to do, and doing the things the individuals are most comfortable with. Facilitator ensures the safety and inclusion but does not tell children what to do.
Studies have shown that Free Play is important for the development of the child/young person. It supports brain development allowing children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, cognitive and physical abilities. ]]> 2019-10-23 12:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/401389236 Midnight basketball -concept (Unfinished) tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/402468167 Requirements:
Basketball field, basketballs, free access to the field, equipment to play music, instructors. Instructor requirements: Sufficient basketball skills, knowledge on social work, inclusion, and service structure in the society (service guidance).

Yökoris provides easily accessible exercise for youth and young adults. The activities take place everywhere in Helsinki, especially in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status. It develops the social capital of the participants by building inclusion, giving opportunities to succeed, offers a place to spend time with friends for free, safe environment, facilitates building friendships, fortifies the identity of participants. Instructors know the service structure well and have wide network (can offer assistance in many life situations). 

Easily accessible: active social media account, flexibility,  hundreds of events all around Helsinki metropolitan area per year with the same simple concept. Music, instructors, basketball and participants with friends.
 ]]> 2019-10-25 10:06:24 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/402468167 Video making tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/402470743 Purpose: fostering creativity, building team spirit by having a common goal, celebrating successes and acknowledging everyone's (possibly different) skills.

Requirements:
- smart phones (at least one per group) or cameras
- whatever your group needs to plan the video,
- equipment for the activity,
- depending on the level and publication platform: computer to edit/upload the video,

Topic given by the instructor, for example "dance"

--to be continued

]]> 2019-10-25 10:16:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/402470743 Reflection https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403756732 Privilege walk / run
Create awareness about privilege.
Can do variants to the theme (for instance, privilege basketball) and/or in strong learning environment (for instance, stairs in social building).

link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5fbQ1-zps

Set up. organize a race (or score a goal in basketball). start at same line. Ask questions that make that not everybody has same starting position. If positive answer, take step back/forth. E.g. did you have to worry about food at the end of the month? My parents are divorced.

Debrief: not same starting position in life. How does that make you feel (as privileged, or underpriv)? What can we do against it? Et cetera



Awareness: To let participants/viewers feel/see what privilege is. That people get affected by context, places, things that aren’t about what they have done, which decision they’ve made. It’s about recognizing that some people get more opportunity, have a head start. It’s about showing a picture of our society / of life. 

You put people on one line (they can hold hands to make the distance even more strong (cause you lose physical connection as well)) and tell them about the goal (crossing a line - running, shooting a Basketball). And you start with statements. If the statement applies to someone they need to get closer to the goal (privilege + statement) or get further away of the goal (privilege - statement) (It’s how you put it). After the distance is created you ask the people that are in the more advantage places to turn around and look. This is the moment of awareness, and then you can ask questions: How does it make you feel? How fair is it? What can we do about it to close the gap? 
Possible statement

The statements of the “The Race of Life” video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQx8FmOT_0

  • Are both of your parents still married?
  • Did you grow up with a father figure at home?
  • did you have access to private education?
  • Did you have access to a free tutor growing up?
  • Did you ever worry your cell phone would be shut off? 
  • Did you ever help mom or dad to pay the bills?
  • Did you ever wonder where your next meal would come from?



The statements of our Basketball privilege game (if the statement applies: step backwards) - Business urban safari

  • I can’t follow my passion in my job
  • I felt I needed to lie on my resume
  • I felt discriminated during an application process
  • Someone else got a promotion because he or she was better friends with the boss
  • I can’t be myself at my job
]]> 2019-10-29 09:45:24 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403756732 Reflection https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403760327 Arbitrary change rules of games

Conduct a game, install a referee, and very arbitrary disadvantage a person/group and advantage the other one.

e.g.
https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1761785520528965/?v=1761785520528965


We have done this, for instance, with changing football rules, where every time a Caucasian kid touches the ball, you whistle a fault. Or, for instance, disfavor white males over females with migration background.

Do it subtle; let people get angry/frustrated without overplaying the card

Debrief,

How did it make you feel
can you guess the rule
why did we do this
...]]> 2019-10-29 09:57:26 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403760327 Energizers / Ice breaker https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403805015 Rock Paper Scissors Evolution game

Everyone starts as eggs (arms around your head), you can evolve by winning a rock paper scissors game against an equal (so if your an egg, against another egg). If you lose you will devolve. The evolution forms are: 

  1. Egg: arms around your head
  2. Chicken: walk like a chicken
  3. Dinosaur: walk like a dinosaur
  4. Gorilla: fists against chest
  5. Human

Once you are human you are out. ;) 

Repeat the dance moves

Everyone in a circle and person A starts with a dance move. The person next to person A, needs to start with the dancemove of person A and add another dance move, and so on. At the end the entire group does the complete dance. 
Alternative:
On music someones does a dance move, the entire group does it as well. Then the next person does a dance move, and the entire group repeats it.

Stand in the right order!

Two groups or more of equal participants. They aren’t allowed to talk with each other, but need to be as fast as possible in the right order:

  • From smallest to tallest
  • Living closest to furthest of Antwerp
  • size of the hand
  • size of the shoe
  • ...


HU YA SA

Stand in circle
Three movements that you have to pass
Samurai game, you have a sword in your hand
HU - you pass it (movement up down)
YA - you pass it (movement down up)
SA- you cut the person whom it was past to, in two by people next to him

The cut down person starts the movement again
]]> 2019-10-29 12:17:23 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403805015 Team Building https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403806617 Chair Game

Awareness: It’s about communication, How is it to not be able to communicate with different groups, not being able to communicate with words in your own group. 

You divide the group in 3. In the centre of the room are some chairs in a circle. 

Each group gets a task

  1. get the Chairs outside
  2. Sit on all the chairs
  3. The chairs need to stay in a circle

All the tasks can easily be combined, but there is no communication possible between the groups. Each group will start executing his own tactics, so it will be a complete mess: people fighting for chairs. 
LET IT GET MESSY AND UNCONFORTABLE

Then you give them 5 minutes and then they need to go back per group and evaluate their tactics (still without communication between different groups).  Give them a hint if necessary (you can communicate without words)

Debrief:
what happened
Transfer to real life (seemingly incompatible goals, do fit together)



]]> 2019-10-29 12:20:41 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/403806617 Team building tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/417011923 Nonverbal communication
Purpose: becoming aware of your own nonverbal communication preferences, getting out of your comfort zone, seeing how there are different definitions of "normal" communication

Method: Drama
Works with groups that know each other a bit or talkative groups.

Divide the group into smaller groups of 3-6 participant. Each person gets a note with their nonverbal communication style written on it.
The group topic of discussion can be given by the facilitator or decided by the group. Something people are interested in talking about.

The participant has to communicate using that nonverbal style. 

Allow a few minutes for the discussion. At the end of the game, all participants have to guess what was the communication style of the others and reflect on
1) How did it feel to use these nonverbal elements? Was it easy or something out of character?
2)  Which one was difficult to guess and why?
3) Whose given  communication style was most irritating?
4) Which style was closest to yours?

It's important to reflect on both your own preferences, and be very mindful of the ones that irritate you. If someone breaks your preferences by standing too close or not taking eye-contact, it may affect your impression on that person and leaves a negative feeling "that's an irritating person" just because they did not abide your unknown personal or cultural boundaries or preferences.]]> 2019-11-27 06:27:59 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/417011923 Ice Breaker tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/418394791 Two truths, one lie

A simple and classic game. Each employee shares three statements about themselves – two true, and one false. Then, everyone tries to guess which is the lie by asking questions. Try to find out as many details about the statements as possible and watch the speaker’s reactions closely. The whole point is to learn facts about your peers while inserting an element of mystery.
- You may also get people to mingle and write down the truths and lies in post-it-notes. You can collect all the answers in a board and when you introduce yourself, you can go through the lies and facts]]> 2019-12-02 11:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/418394791 Ice breaker tiia_soininen https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/432311618 American Hitchhiker

Purpose: learning everyone's name, activating the group, language skills required = minimum

How to run it:
- if working with a large group, divide the group into 2-3 smaller groups. 
- stand in a circle. Ask everyone to introduce themselves (just a name will do at this point).
- Show the rhythm (tap your thigh with left hand, then right thigh with right hand. make thumbs-up with left hand > point over your left shoulder and leave your hand there, repeat with right hand. Start over "tap, tap, point, point, tap, tap, point, point". Ask the group to follow your lead. When everyone gets it right, instructor gives further rules:
1) this is a memory game. Whenever you point back with your thumb, you say a name. The first thumb is your name, and second is anyone else's name in the circle. 
for example :
tap - tap - Mo - Oscar

2) If someone says your name, it's your turn and so on
tap - tap - Oscar - Biba

3)  If you want, you can make this a competition: whenever you lose the rhythm or if you don't remember anyone's name, you are out of the game

]]> 2020-01-16 10:13:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tiia_soininen/toolkit/wish/432311618