I’ve been asked a few times recently for some activities to develop communication and connection. Here are seven ideas which don’t involve passing objects. If you’ve done any CPD with me on Philosophy for Children or Talk they’ll probably be familiar.
1. Pass the smile
Exactly as it sounds, and works well online as well as in a physical classroom. Smile and pass it on until everyone has had a go: I am going to pass my smile to Jane!
Other versions include Pass the Silly Face or Pass the Wink.
2. Rabbit Ears
The person that starts puts both their hands up by their ears. The students on either side of them put their nearest hand up to their ear. The middle person then passes on the rabbit ears, using eye contact only, to someone across the circle and the game continues. This is a fun game which gets everyone concentrating and raises awareness of non-verbal communication.
3. Group Story
Students make up a story around the circle saying one word, or one sentence, at a time. This is great for developing focused listening. Another fun version is stopping mid-sentence:
Pupil 1: Tiger was walking slowly though the meadow, when suddenly…
Pupil 2: she stepped on something very, very strange. It was…
4. Secret person
One pupil thinks of a classmate and says three positive things about them. The others guess who the secret person is.
5. Yes, and
I love this game – it’s always funny and a great way to get people talking. I have used it even with very young children and it is amazing how quickly it can increase their confidence to talk.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe2a3ppacUk
6. Odd one out
www.topsypage.com/blog/2019/7/26/odd-one-out
(Project images if you want to avoid physical objects.)
7. Imagination game
www.topsypage.com/blog/2019/10/11/the-imagination-game
(You can adapt this game by everyone holding their own individual object instead of passing one around. For example: This is a pen, and it is also my dangly earring… etc.)
