exercise
= activity that the group does for a specific purpose
when the leader directs the behaviours, discussions, attention of the group members by using specific activity
reasons for using exercises
- increase comfort level, provide fun and relaxation
- provide leader with useful info
- generate discussion and focus group
- shift the focus, deepen the focus
- opportunity for experiential learnng
- written exercises
a) sentence-completion exercises: “when I enter a new group…”; not supposed to be long
b) listing exercises: positive personal qualities, stressors etc.
c) written-response exercises: write their own epitaph, short responses to questions, state preferences
d) diaries: write personal reaction to what has taken place in session; self-reflection, documentation of process
reasons for movement exercises
- give chance to experience rather than discuss it; better to remember
- usually involve all members
- chance to move and stretch
- dyads and triads
- interact with one or two other individuals
- practice interpersonal skills
a) I have to - I choose to: list things they feel they have to do, say them aloud to one another; change I have to, to I choose to
b) I should - no, you shouldn’t: member says to partner I should… and partner responds, no, you shouldn’t… (real shoulds in life)
- rounds
= activity where every member is asked to respond to some stimulus posed by the leader
a) designated word, phrase, number: emotion you felt when waking up today/when entering group today)
b) word or phrase round
c) comment round
reasons for rounds
- most valuable exercises
- gather info, summarise
- build comfort, trust, cohesion
- get members focused, locate energy
- helpful in controlling overly verbal members, involve all members, draw out quiet members
- deepen intensity
- arts and crafts exercises
- require members to create something with a variety of materials
- generate interest, focus group, create energy, trigger discussion
- allow members to express themselves in different way
- helpful for members who have difficulty identifying/expressing feelings directly
- fantasy exercises
- help members become more aware of their feelings, wishes, fears
- often used in growth and therapy groups
- may cause member to explore thoughts and feelings that have been denied to conscious awareness
- feedback exercises
- allow members and leaders to share feelings and thoughts about each other
- leaders should not conduct this exercise unless they feel the members have enough goodwill to try to be helpful
- first impressions, adjective checklist, wishes, metaphorical feedback
- feedback exercises
- allow members and leaders to share feelings and thoughts about each other
- leaders should not conduct this exercise unless they feel the members have enough goodwill to try to be helpful
a) first impressions, adjective checklist, wishes, metaphorical feedback
- moral dilemma exercises
- story is read or passed out and each member has to decide how to handle the situation
- generate discussion about values, justice, fairness
- helpful in facilitating discussion among adolescents
- group-decision exercises
- involve members working together to solve some sort of problem
- generate discussion about competition, cooperation
a) have members figure out right supplies to take, complete complicated puzzle
process of exercises
1) introduce exercise
- inform members of purpose and procedure
- avoid confusing/lengthy directions
- mistake: failure to tell members how long an exercise will last
- might feel uncomfortable if not clarified
process of exercises
2) conducting exercises
- make sure members follow instructions; inform about time
- allow members to not share
- handle emotional reactions
- change or stop exercise
- decide whether leader participates or not
process of exercises
3) processing and exercise
= discuss thoughts, feelings, ideas that result from doing the exercise
- goals of processing: stimulate sharing and discussion about topics; deep-level processing, share related thoughts
- allow enough time for deeper exploration
- ways of processing: rounds, dyads, writing, group
- kinds of processing questions: how can this exercise help you in your progress/in your life?; thought-provoking questions that tap into emotions and feelings
