00.00 – 00.20 Introduction and creating the right atmosphere
For example, use one of the two activating exercises to get to know each other en to create the right atmosphere for a successful training.
Exercise 1.1A: Bamboo square
Getting to know each other and creating the right atmosphere.
It is very important to allow sufficient time for an inspiring introduction, in which the participants get to know each other’s names. One of the basic needs of the participants is the need for relationship and ‘belonging’. It is precisely by knowing them by name that they feel seen and known. It’s a simple way to make a participant feel valued.
What do you need?
– Bamboo sticks of one meter glued together with tape in the shape of a square. Three to four people per side can stand at one meter long bamboo poles. The more people, the longer the bamboo sticks: the fewer people, the shorter.
– Course room: the participants must be able to move freely.
What should you do?
Method and content
– Introduce the bamboo square and make the connection with the acquaintance and learning wishes.
– Ask the participants to take hold of the bamboo square one by one, to introduce themselves, and to share some of the expectations of the training.
– When everyone is holding the bamboo square, ask to put the index fingers under the bamboo stick so that the square only rests on all index fingers. The fingers are turned up with the nails.
– From that moment on, no one is allowed to speak anymore.
– The group is instructed to lower the bamboo square together without grasping it and without talking.
– Each participant must maintain contact with the bamboo square until it is on the floor.
– Discuss afterwards what happened, who acted in what way? What did the participants experience during this assignment?
Trainers advice:
– Ask the group what the participants saw that happened. In this form it is about estimating the course group: what do the participants do? Who acts how? (lead, follow, hinder)? How does the group interact? Ask different participants: What did you do? What did you see happening? Were you trying to influence the process? If so, how?
– If the bamboo does not drop down, coach the group to lower the bamboo at the same time: “okay, lower it”, “1,2,3 and lower it”. This also allows you to assess whether a group can be coached and whether they accept leadership.
– This method provides you as a teacher with insight into the group. Which participant needs which approach in the training?
Exercise 1.1B: Get to know the names
Getting to know each other’s names and creating the right atmosphere.
What do you need?
– Strips of cardboard.
– Markers.
What should you do?
– Have all participants write their names on one side of the card.
– One participant collects all cards, shuffles them and puts all name cards upside down in the middle of the room.
– Make groups of three or four participants. Have the participants agree on who is number 1, who is number 2, and so on.
– Each group is a few meters away from the name tags in the center, forming the corners of a square.
– Number 1 of each group runs to the center, takes a name card and runs back to their own group without looking at it.
– Number 1 checks which name is on the card. If it is the name of someone from their own group, they can keep the card and place it on the floor in front of the group. Then number 2 may go and get a new name card. If the name is not of someone from their own group, number 2 brings the card back to the center, places it upside down on the center pile and takes a new name card.
– Continue until all group names have been collected. The group that collected all name badges cheers. This way, the other groups know immediately which group finished first.
– Then alternate. For example: collect the names of the group opposite. If you want, play this several times until everyone knows all the names.
Trainers advice
– Don’t be too strict about following the rules. There are always participants who don’t take the rules too seriously. This will give you information about what type of participants are in the group.
– Check afterwards if all names are correct by asking everyone if the name is correct. This way all names are mentioned again and everyone gets to know the names better.