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Icebreakers, Groups and Mental Health! OH, My!. Brought to you by: The Nicasa Prevention Team. Let’s color your name plate. Ice breakers make things happen. An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship that is designed to navigate through dangerous ice covered waters.
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Icebreakers, Groups and Mental Health! OH, My! Brought to you by: The Nicasa Prevention Team
Ice breakers make things happen An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship that is designed to navigate through dangerous ice covered waters. This is how the name “ice breaking” began to be applied to clearing the course for learning in a setting that could feel “dangerously” uncomfortable as members don’t know each other or know what to expect.
Icebreakers can be used whether kids/people know each other or not.
Ice breakers are often used haphazardly and to fill time as default activities. They are less likely to have impact when they are not designed, not developed, or not processed.
Well designed and well facilitated ice breakers can be used at anytime and can positively impact the purpose and goals for your gathering.
Is an Ice Breaker an Energizer? Yes and No! An energizer does just that…. ENERGIZE! An icebreaker can energize but that is not always the objective .
Benefits of Icebreakers • They are fun. Laughter is a positive thing! • Kids get involved quickly and more easily. • Barriers are broken. • People get to know each other or know more about each other. • Help clear out the cobwebs! • Icebreakers create interaction that is nonthreatening. • They can instill confidence. • Opening up communication is key to success. • Creativity will improve. • New ideas will be generated.
And even more benefits………. • Icebreakers create a rich learning atmosphere. • They prepare kids to learn. • Icebreakers improve facilitation skills. They are good for you, too! • They can make kids feel special. • Motivating through activities can create more learning success down the road. • Many learning styles can be used. • Isolative participants can engage more easily. • Icebreakers make commonalities more evident. • Out of the box thinking is a life tool.
A good facilitator can use icebreakers to gauge the temperature of the group and assess the skill base of the participants.
Icebreakers are great because they can be used in all settings and across the lifespan.
Helpful Hint: The key to a successful icebreaker is making sure that it is focused on meeting a goal and that it is the environment.
Do’s for creating the right kind of icebreaker • Plan ahead, make a good choice and practice. • Have supplies ready. • Allow sufficient time for completion and processing. • Process everything. • Relax! and have fun. • Reduce complex instructions. • Monitor what happens. • Don’t repeat it. • Have a back up plan. • If it doesn’t work, don’t blame……process it!
And now the Don’ts for Icebreakers • …forget to gauge who is in your group • assume they must occur only at the beginning of group/activity • force participation…. ask yourself; what does participation look like? • provide painful feedback….this may be setting a tone for group interest. • occur too many times without variety…. • no direct relevance • lack of preparation or going in “cold”
When to use ICE Breakers: ANYTIME!!! But, • Consider them as openers when people don’t know each other or you don’t know the participants. • Use them after a lot of talking has occurred or to relieve the tension of tough subject matter • Know that they can illustrate a point. • Use them if the topic is new and you want to use differentiated learning. • They will help you regroup after a break or transition.
WHAT’S awesome??
Other considerations: Keep it simple. Have clear objectives. Avoid touch. Keep personal info to a minimum. Always debrief. Be ready for anything. Always maintain respect in the group and for the group. Be the leader so you can gauge value and offer feedback. Know how to offer feedback.
A little bit of theory………………… Maslow and Ice Breakers
And Finally: Carefully crafted, icebreakers can be very powerful. Create a fun atmosphere for learning and help people retain information.
Essentials for Understanding and facilitating groups • Observe with eyes that honor people. • Know that poor behavior might be a math problem: Frustrations > Skills • Priorities, attitudes and goals can become more evident because of the group experience.
What is a facilitator? • Facilitators are people who make things easier for the group by smoothing the path so the group can work together, • Facilitators are information anchors.
Attributes of facilitators • Open • Honest • Fair • Consistent • Focused • Active listeners • Accessible • Flexible • Assertive • Enthusiastic • Adaptive • Proactive • Responsive • Resilient
Answer me this………… Behavior in a group belongs to:
Groups have value • Make decisions • Share info • Plan ahead . • Learn from one another • Create buy-in • Solve problems
What is your goal?
The more you understand yourself the better you are able to understand what motivates others.
Then ………. You have to ask questions……………. And…………… It requires skill to ask the right questions.
How would you ask for more info? • I hate Mr. Smith. • I am going to kick her ass. • Mrs. Jones hates me. • Jorge hates me.
Rules: • How? • When?
Ground Rules are the expected rules of conduct that are important for the group’s full participation and success. • Four walls behavior • Control what you can
A few key DON’TS….Just don’t do it! • Be afraid of disagreement • Allow one person to dominate • Let one point of view override the group • Assume because of background, environment or culture • Be the font of all wisdom • Disclose your past as an adolescent
Participation distributesPOWER and can create: • Fear • Investment • Power • Pride • Threat
Food or no food? Rewards or no rewards?
The six tensions of group: l.Structure 2.Pace 3.lnteraction 4.Focus 5.Concern 6.Control
The keys to active listening • Translates but doesn't parrot • Expresses understanding • Reflects content • States the problem
