GROUP BUILDING

AIMS

Introductions and bringing a group together, build a sense of togetherness, mutual support, interest in each other, recognising and respecting individuality within the group, openness, sharing, good team work for later tasks. Learning from each other, collaborating.

NAMES & COLOURS
Good for:
Introducing people to one another
Checking in with mood / emotions
Group building – groups of 8 – 15 – see Tip for a class of 30

NAME, ACTION, COPY
Good for:
Fun
Group building for 10 -15 people
Imagination 
A group that has gained confidence together

PASS THE CLAP
Good for:
Building a group
Focus
Group of 10-15 people

SILLY WALKS
Good for:
Fun, imagination
Body and movement confidence
Group building for up to 30 people

EXPLORING COMMON EXPERIENCE – TREE WHISPERING
Good for:
Sharing
Reducing anxiety and isolation following an unusual group experience
Group cohesion, empathy
Group of 10 -12 people

CALLING THE STORM
Good for:
Ending a group
Body and voice confidence

CALM, FOCUS, BALANCE

AIMS

These exercises will support a group to relax together, release tension, worries and anxiety. They will help prepare an environment for listening, collaboration, and concentration,
as well as internal and external focus.  

These games explore personal and group balance. The circle format is important as every circle has a centre. The group should stand equidistant from the centre. 

The games can help prepare groups for exploring contemporary issues, reflecting on experiences and being active. Through the theme ‘balance’ groups can develop a tool kit for resilience, good health, and wellbeing.

DEEP BREATHING & STRETCHING
Good for:
Starting a focused group
Whole class / group of 10-15 people

PAINTING TO MUSIC
Good for:
Starting a session after a busy playground break\
Starting the day
Calm
Visual meditation
Individual focus
Experimentation / imagination
Confidence with art materials

GROUNDING EXERCISE
Good for:
Grounding exercise 
Checking in with yourself
Relaxation, freeing up mind and body 
Building individual, partner, and group sensitivity
Whole class / group of 10-15 people

PERSONAL BALANCE – BREATHING MEDITATION
Good for:
Focusing a group
Group cohesion
Getting to know each other 
Feeling relaxed and freeing up mind and body 
Using the imagination 
Building individual, partner, and group sensitivity
Linking to nature, home, and place 
Whole class / group of 10-15 people

BALANCE THE SPACE
Good for:
Exploring solo, duo and group movement
Connecting with others
Whole class / 10 -15 people

POSITIVE SELF IMAGE, RELATING TO OTHERS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

AIMS

These activities support self-care, build confidence, teamwork and relating to others. 

HEALTHY SLEEPING TREASURE HUNT
Good for:
Healthy sleep, concentration
Self-care
Group of 30 or less (depending on the space you have)
Yrs 4 – 7

MIRRORING IN PAIRS
Good for:
Relating to others
Observation skills
Concentration
Fun

FOLLOWING AND LEADING
Good for:
Relating to others 
Exploring power dynamics
Concentration
Fun
Movement skills
Group 10 -30

TOTEM TO A FRIEND
Good for:
Getting to know each other
Social skills
Giving and receiving
Manual and creative skills (drawing, cutting)
A whole class working in pairs

AFFIRMATIONS
Good for:
Confidence
Positive self-image
Replacing negative thinking patterns with positive ones

REDUCING ANXIETY

AIMS

In this section children will learn that worries and anxiety is normal, explore and share feelings, engage in calming activities, and build personal coping skills. 

PERSONAL TOOLS FOR ANXIETY – DEEP BREATHING / FINGER PULSING / 5 SENSES
Good for:
Reducing anxiety/ nerves
Coping with persistent worries
Resilience
Before tests / exams

IMAGINE DOING SOMETHING AMAZING
Good for:
Coping with Worries and Anxiety
Building resilience
Whole class / smaller group
Yrs 1 -5

ANXIETY OR EXCITEMENT?
Good for:
Understanding anxiety and its impact
Group discussion
Yrs 3-6

WORRY CIRCLES
Good for:
Coping with Worries
Individual work
Reducing stress

EXPLORING ANXIETY WITH OBJECTS
Good for:
Releasing tension
Fun
Concentration

RELEASING TENSION WITH OBJECTS
Good for:
Releasing tension with stretch bands – fun activity
Calm, focus, grounding
Trust
Movement

NATURE OBSERVATION
Good for:
Calm and Focus
Using nature for good mental health
Observation 
Whole class or smaller group
Any age

ANGER MANAGEMENT

AIMS

These activities explore what anger looks and feels like. They will help participants recognise anger in different contexts, directed towards them and coming from them. Children will gain skills to help manage their own anger.

WORRY TANGLE – VISUALISING WORRIES
Good for:
Externalising worries and anxiety 
Sharing and Supporting one another
Any age
Group work (8-10 people). Split a big group into groups of 6 -10 people.

WHAT DOES ANGER LOOK LIKE?
Good for:
ExternalIsing and understanding feelings
Art skills
Individual work
Sharing
Group 10 -15 / whole class but split into groups for discussion

STORY – A PAINTING FOR THE QUEEN EXPLORING FEELINGS AND BEHAVIOUR
Good for:
Separating feelings from behaviour
Group 10-15
Years 3-6

ALL BOTTLED UP
Good for:
Exploring untreated anger
Verbal skills
Whole class
Any age

COPING WITH ANGER– THE THERMOMETER
Good for:
Releasing anger safely
Any age

ANGER TRIGGERS
Good for:
Self- awareness
Managing emotions
Year 5 / 6 upwards