Icebreakers can play an important role in helping young people integrate and
connect with one another in a group environment.
Icebreakers can also enhance
your teaching by helping to stimulate cooperation and participation. They can
provide positive momentum for small group study and discussion by:
- Helping a new group get to know one another.
- Helping new members to integrate into a group.
- Helping young people feel comfortable together.
- Encouraging cooperation.
- Encouraging listening to others.
- Encouraging working together.
- Encouraging young people to break out of their cliques.
- Developing social skills.
- Building a rapport with leaders.
- Creating a good atmosphere for learning and participation.
What should be prepared?
A 10 SECOND CHECK LIST!
- Be enthusiastic, whatever happens, be enthusiastic!
- Choose volunteers carefully and don't cause embarrassment.
- If something is not working move quickly on to the next activity.
- Timing is important. Don't flog them to death. Use only 2 or 3 icebreakers as a 20-30 minutes introduction to your programme. Finish each icebreaker while young people are still enjoying it.
- Choose icebreakers appropriate for your age group. No group is the same and your understanding of what will and will not work with your group is a core youth work skill.
taken from "40 Icebreakers for Small Groups" book.