Progressive Group Drawing

Submitted by Mallory Diepen, CTRS, Adventist Glen Oaks Hospital, Behavioral Health Department


Materials Needed: Paper, art supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons, etc.)

Group size: 4-12

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Instructions: Give each participant a blank sheet of paper and pass out art supplies. Have everyone take turns being the “leader”, giving a directive to the rest of the group. The directive will be to draw one picture on their sheet of paper. For example, the first participant might say “draw a house” and everyone, including the leader, will draw a house. The next person might add to that “draw a purple tree next to the house.” The directive can be as simple or detailed as the leader wants (with consideration to the ability level of the group). The activity will end when each person has had a chance to be the leader. Have everyone share their picture when complete.

Processing:
• How did you feel during this activity?
• Did you like being the leader or the one receiving the directive better and why?
• What skills did you need to participate in this activity?
• Discuss how each person gave input to complete the activity
• Talk about how each picture is different and that everyone has their own point of view
• How can it be helpful to be able to view things from multiple angles?

There are several directions you can go with this activity. It can be related to leadership skills and self-esteem, communication and being assertive, creativity and self-expression, following directions and focusing, etc. This activity can be adapted for all populations; however, I have found it to work well with a lower functioning population or those who have difficulty staying focused.

Thanks again Mallory!

Advertising

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From Donica

Advertising

Size: 2-10

Equipment: Magazines, Scissors, Glue, Construction paper, Markers, Pencils

Objective:

• To promote increased self-esteem
• To identify positive personality traits

Description: Introduce the group to advertisements. Talk about their purpose and the method in which ads get the message across - visually and with words. Ads promote the positive aspects of a product, the finer qualities. Ads also persuade a person into buying the product. The individual's task in this project is to come up with and advertisement persuading someone to be their friend. Individuals should depict positive aspects of themselves through pictures, words, or a combination of the two.

If an individual has a difficult time thinking of reasons someone would want to be their friend, have them think of characteristics they look for in a friend. At the end of the session have participants share advertisements with one another. Let other participants confirm the positive qualities of the presenter.

Let's Make a Leisure List!

From DONICA

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Leisure Lists

Size of Group: 4-12

Equipment: Pencil, paper, and leisure categories

FOCUS AREA: Benefits of Leisure

Description: Break the group into 2 to 3 groups. Begin discussion on favorite activities. On a large sheet of paper or white board, list the participant's favorite activities. Then, beside each person's favorite activity, list the + benefits they obtain from their preferred leisure.

Following discussion, begin the game of Leisure Lists. Break the group into 2 or 3 groups. Give the groups one minute to list as many Winter Activities on their sheet of paper. After one minute, turn the paper over and have the groups list as many "things found on a picnic."

This game is reminiscent of "Scattegories." After the 1st round, have the group with the most items listed read their list. If the other team(s) have the same item on their list, that item is crossed off on everyone's list. If no one else has an item (e.g., snow boarding), then the team gets one point. After team one has finished reading their list, the next team(s) read their list. The team with the most listed items wins the round.

You can continue with additional round with different leisure topics (things related to football, names of dances, things people collect).

Complete the activity with feedback from participants on what choices they might make when feeling depressed, bored, etc. and tie it in with the benefits they listed earlier.

EXPECTED OUTCOME: Participants will better understand how engagement in preferred activities can positively affect their feelings, moods, and thoughts.

SUMMER TIP for Parents: Use this to help your kids think of fun activities to do over summer break! Then create a master list and see how many of the activities you can do before school starts again! 

Bucket Lists

Explain the idea of a bucket list to patients.  Assist patients in creating their own bucket list of things they want to do in their lives.  Have them share their lists at the end.

Talk about the importance of setting goals and discuss how we can work to achieve these goals.

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Ante Up: Is It Appropriate??

I adapted the game "Ante Up" to play when we talked about boundaries.  Here's what I came up with...

Size of Group: Small to Large

Equipment: Jar of pennies (about 25 per person, plus 100 more for the “pot”), scenarios written on index cards

Objective: Increase socialization, practice distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate social skills/boundaries

Description: Pts. sit around a table.  Each has 25 pennies placed in front of him/her.  The “pot” of pennies is placed in the middle.  Each resident takes turns reading a card and following the directions on it.  Each card tells the reader to either give or take a penny.  The resident with the most pennies at the end “wins” but this is also just a fun socializing game and is good for icebreakers too. 

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Questions:

IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO HAWAII, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

IF YOU ARE WEARING EYEGLASSES, GIVE A PENNY TO THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT.

IF YOU LIKE ICE CREAM, GIVE A PENNY TO EACH PERSON SITTING AT THE TABLE.

IF YOUR FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE, GIVE A PENNY TO THE POT.

IF YOU KNOW HOW TO TYPE, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE PERSON ACROSS FROM YOU AT THE TABLE.

IF YOU CAN SAY HELLO IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE, DO SO, THEN TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

SHAKE HANDS WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT, AND GIVE HIM/HER A PENNY.

IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN ON A BOAT, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

TAKE ONE PENNY FROM THE POT FOR EACH COUNTRY YOU HAVE VISITED (USA DOES NOT COUNT!)

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN TAKE ONE PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF YOU HAVE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT.

IF YOU WENT DOWN TO BREAKFAST THIS MORNING, TAKE ONE PENNY FROM THE POT.

IF YOU KNOW THE ACTIVITY THERAPIST’S NAME, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

IF YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH STRANGERS, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

IF YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO HUG A STRANGER ON THE STREET, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT A PENNY.

IF YOU THINK IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO INVADE SOMEONE’S PERSONAL SPACE WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.

IF YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO YELL ACROSS THE ROOM TO GET SOMEONE’S ATTENTION, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT A PENNY.

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  LISTENING IS AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL SKILL TO DEVELOP.

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF PERSONAL SPACE

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  BOUNDARIES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  BOUNDARIES CAN BE PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL.

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF INTERACTING WITH OTHERS

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  BOUNDARIES ARE A WAY OF TELLING OTHER PEOPLE WHAT WE ARE AND ARE NOT OKAY WITH IN A RELATIONSHIP

THINK OF ONE BOUNDARY YOU CAN ESTABLISH IN YOUR LIFE.  SHARE WITH THE GROUP, AND TAKE A PENNY FROM EACH PLAYER.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALTHY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT A PENNY:  TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALTHY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT A PENNY: BEING UNABLE TO SAY NO, EVEN WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT THING.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALHTY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT A PENNY: GOING THROUGH SOMEONE’S STUFF WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALHTY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT A PENNY: RESPECTFULLY MAKING YOUR NEEDS KNOWN.

IF YOU HAVE A PET, GIVE THE PERSON ACROSS FROM YOU A PENNY.

IF YOU HAD FRUIT TODAY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALTHY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT A PENNY: DISRESPECTING SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT THAN YOU.

IF THIS IS A HEALTHY BOUNDARY, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT.  IF IT IS AN UNHEALTHY BOUNDARY, GIVE THE PERSON ACROSS FROM YOU A PENNY: GOING AGAINST YOUR PERSONAL VALUES AND BELIEFS TO PLEASE SOMEONE ELSE.

TRUE = TAKE A PENNY; FALSE = PUT A PENNY IN THE POT.  BOUNDARIES CAN BE HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY.

TELL THE GROUP ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU HELD AN APPROPRIATE SOCIAL BOUNDARY. TAKE TWO PENNIES FROM THE POT.

Mind Bending Maze

submitted here by Brigette Siegel on Monday, July 28, 2003

Size: works best with 16 or more

Equipment: wooded area (or around campsite) and two lengths of rope, each 50' or longer.
-two flags for end of maze, two blindfolds

Objective: participants will experience the confusion of hearing many conflicting directions at once
-participants will work together in constructing a maze
-participants will experience healthy competition between two groups
-participants will recognize the importance of short, specific directions
-participants will have fun

Description: First have each team construct a maze either by arranging desks throughout the room or by using the rope and a stand of trees.

The best mazes have lots of turns and dead-ends; they also have several directional choices (such as an area where the maze maneuver could take either a right or a left. After building the maze, each team places their flag at the end-point or goal area of their maze. Both teams then select a maze maneuverer. This person is blindfolded.

Now, the fun part. You deal with one maze at a time.

Both teams stand together in a spot designated as an area where there will be no contact with the maze maneuverer. Team A's maze maneuverer stands blindfolded in Team B's maze. Both Team A and all of Team B stand together off to the side. Now, Team A's job is to shout commands (forward, turn right, turn back, etc..) to their maze maneuver in order to reach the flag. Team B's job is to shout the opposite commands to try to get the Maze Maneuvered off track.

This is a loud and fun initiative. 

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