Games for Children

                                                                           GAMES FOR CHILDREN

01. Finding the treasure:

Let the children scatter themselves over a limited area. One child is `IT'. He hides his eyes while everyone is ready. With the guilty person trying to look innocent and the innocent guilty, all the children begin clapping their hands softly. It then begins to search  for the child hiding the beanbag. The closer he comes to the guilty person the louder the clapping becomes. The farther he gets away from the hidden beanbag the softer the clapping becomes. This is a popular game as it is full of the qualities of fooling and suspense, both so dear to the hearts of children. When It finally locates the beanbag, the child who is caught with the beanbag is It for the next turn and game begins all over again. Try humming or stamping feet as a variation to clapping.

02. Going on a holiday:

This is a memory game. A says, I am going on a holiday and am taking with me ...... (mentioning the name of an article). Be repeats the same sentence, mentioning A's article and adding another. The game continues, a fresh article being added to the list each time until the memory of one of the players breaks down. 

03. Heading Balloons:

Line up the competitors at one end of the room. Give each a balloon. They have to head the balloons down the room past a given line. If they allow the balloon to drop to the floor, they must return to the starting-point.

04. Making words:

Divide your guests into two teams. The first person of one team begins with one letter of the alphabet. Then the first person of the next team adds a letter for some word which he has in mind. The second member of the first team then adds a third letter. The point is that as soon as someone has formed a word of five letters or more, his team wins a point.

So that there is no foul play. Either team may challenge the other at any time; for example, one team may suspect that the other is adding letters which cannot be made into a word. The one in that team who is next in line may challenge the member of the other team to tell the word he has in mind. If he has a word, then the team that challenged loses one point. If however, he cannot give any definite word, then his team loses one point.

                                                                               CREATIVE SESSION

Aim: To bring out the creativity in us in expressing and             symbolizing an idea.

Procedure: The participants are asked to work on a theme and present it in a form of a creative symbol by making use of things like bangles, stones, leaves, etc.. They are given an area of six to ten square feet at the four corners of the hall.

The themes could be poverty, injustice, helplessness, relationship, today's education system, today's political system, religion, etc.,. This session can be conducted on a competitive basis and the criterion for judging the best creative work would be - participation, creativity, i.e., how symbolic it is and how original the symbol is.

Analysis:

-- Importance of bringing out an idea in a form of a picture,      cartoon etc.

-- Importance of symbolism. The evocation the symbol gives,        e.g. anger - cobra; oppression - octopus.

-- Increasing of social awareness through this medium and          driving the lesson straight away.

-- The animator must make his observations and then should ask     questions on them. Ask the participants about what and how      they have done.

-- Being creative - the best `medicine' to grow as healthy         human beings.

                                                                  FIGHT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE

Aim:- To give an experience of crisis, conflicting,         embarrassing situation and to see how do we react to                 situations.

Procedure:- Two participants are secretly called aside and given instructions to pick up a quarrel in the beginning of the session on any issue of the recent past. Very soon the fight turns to be serious and the participants will react in many different ways. When the fight reaches a climax, it is stopped by the animator intervening, by giving a definite signal to the two to stop. (The animator then announces that it was an arranged fight and not a spontaneous one, during the analysis) this secret must be revealed only at the end of the reflection session.

Questions:

01. What are your feelings now?

02. What are the things you observed : content of words,            style, how the fight changed, etc.

03. What are the different types of people?

04. Why do fights occur?

05. In such situations what can a christian do? Who must take       the leadership?

Analysis:-

-- Fights often take place, but develop due to different reasons. Like the improper language used, past references made, the prejudices about the other, pent up anger and hatred etc.

-- People react in different ways:

               

                -- Active :- Positively and negatively

                                                 Supporting and pacifying.

               

                -- Passive :- Commenting from far.

                                                                Worried and upset, frightened.

               

                -- Indifferent :- not involved.

-- Fights occur because of a controversy and difference of opinion on a rational level which becomes an emotional issue leading to a fight.

-- When we have controversy with others we should refrain from fighting by being aware of our words and by being open to the truth.

Strategy:                                Teddy Bear                                           Owl

                                                                                                Fox

                                                Tortoise                                                 Shark

                                                                                      CASE STUDY

Aim :- To create an awareness of the structural - social sin        of which many are unjust victims.

Case:- Gopal was a drunkard, having a wife, Janaki and two kids, Mohan and Geeta. Gopal hardly worked but gambled whole day long. Very often the family went hungry. One evening Gopal won a lot of money in gambling but his gambling mates killed him, robbed him of his money and ran away. Mohan and Geeta see their father dyeing in a pool of blood. They are helpless and dumbstruck. The mother very soon, out of sheer desperation of not getting a job and not having enough to eat takes to prostitution. The whole village comes to know about this. And Mohan and Geeta are fooled. The teachers and neighbours point accusing fingers at the children and their mother. The children fail to understand what it all means since they only know that certain men visit their mother in private in the evenings. They grow with guilt feeling and inferiority complex and feeling of not wanted.

Questions:

01. Do you come across such instances in society today?

02. Do you have any suggestion to counter such situations?

03. What would Mohan and Geeta be in their future life?

04. What is the role of society in such circumstances and what      should be the role?

05. Can you blame any of these? Who is the cause of Gopal's         weaknesses?

Analysis:  - It is advisable to analyze and conclude this session based on the case study done by the group and the reactions and answers. However, some points can be of use:-

-- We see such instances very often.

-- Mohan and Geeta could have had a deviant future. How far are they responsible for it?

-- The society and we individuals in it have an important and responsible role to play.

-- We find it easy to condemn deviants and cause people; but we fail to understand the root cause of deviant behaviour.

                                                                                 HUMAN MACHINE

Aim:- The unique and important role of each one in society.

Procedure:- The groups of participants (preferably eight to ten people) are asked to creatively present a machine. There can be no use of articles; but the participants will position themselves as various parts of the machine. Possible machines suggested are: sugar cane crusher, rice mill, tape recorder, etc.

Questions

01. What does the machine stand for?

02. What happens if there is no cooperation by some?

03. Which is more important: a part of the machine or the           machine as a whole?

04. (Can we call a part of the machine? Or apart from a part        does the machine exist-function?)

Analysis:-- Cosmos has a system. Each one is a part of the system, playing its unique role.

-- No one can be forced but if someone does not play his role there is chaos.

role = (i) a way of life = married, bachelor, spinster, etc.

                  (ii) a profession = doctor, teacher, priest, etc.

-- Everything is a call. We have a call for a way of life and a profession. We are free to respond positively or negatively.

-- How do we hear our call? How do we nurture it? Is it based on our talents, potentialities, capacities, values or is it due to force or as a fashion?

-- However we need to keep in mind that we have an important role to play in contributing to the growth of society.

-- The underlying motivation for every call ought to be to build up human person and a commitment to build a better humanity.

-- We have triple vocation:- to be human.

                                                                                                to be a christian.

                                                                                                to become a parent or celibate.

Part II :- participants are asked to form a symbolic design with all possible things they have on their person, e.g. kerchief, bangles, watches, etc.

-- Each one has something to contribute through their call to a particular way of life or profession. How much are you ready to give? The rest as in part I.

Part III :- A house is being constructed. The participants are asked to write what part of the house they would like to be - Why?

Analysis:-

-- A part has to play its unique role. Therefore it can't be serving too many purposes at the same time, e.g. a window cannot be a door or a ventilator, etc.

-- However, the role given to each part should be fulfilled to its fullest capacity.

-- If one part of the house is damaged the house is damaged. Therefore in a society if we don't contribute according to our role we play the role of a destructive element.

-- Our life is like a tennis game. We cannot win unless we serve.

                                                                                  GROUP PICTURE

Aim:- Recognize oneself in relation to other in symbolic and non verbal way. How far can we understand others without a verbal communication.

Procedure:  Participants are asked to go to the black board as their turn comes and draw a curve or three straight lines on the black board. Each one tries to develop the group picture by drawing curves or three straight lines. The whole exercise is done in silence.

Analysis:

-- We live in a society and we need each other.

-- We are not isolated beings but social beings who interact       with each other. So we need to contribute to the growth and     development of society in a very creative, thoughtful and       responsible way.

-- Lack of clarity in the picture signifies, a lack of             understanding, proper interaction, etc.

-- I am I only when you are you. Therefore I must help you to      become you and not like me.

-- There are three levels of communication:

(  i) The things which others tell us.

( ii) The things which others want to tell but do not do so.

(iii) The things which cannot be told without my help.

                                                                                         PEA-NUTS

Aim:- Self awareness.

Things required:- Stones as big as goose berry, as many as number of participants.

Procedure: Each participant is given a stone and asked to feel it and touch it and study it under close observation and get familiar with its colour, size, shape and other particulars. Once the participants get familiar with his/her stone they are asked to mix it with the participants sitting next and rediscover his/her stone.

The second step would be forming groups of five or more and mixing the stone in the group and re-discovering the stone. This is repeated with a merger of two groups and ultimately the stone is discovered with closed eyes.

Questions:

01. How did you feel about the game?

02. Was it easy to rediscover your stone?

03. Did you feel attached to the stone? If so why?

04. Did you develop any attachment to your stone?

Analysis:

-- Stones stand for our own selves.

-- We have to feel at home to ourselves, be aware of our           selves and get in touch with ourselves.

-- Only when we grow in self awareness we grow as human            beings. With the unique qualities, therefore even when we       are lost we can rediscover ourselves.

                                                                        ANALYZING NEWS PAPER

Aim:- To be aware of the media around us and its effects.

Things required: News paper, scales.

Procedure: A typical page of newspaper with advertisements, news items, reports, etc is presented to different groups of participants. They are then asked to measure the page, then they will measure how much the newspaper speaks of different themes, such as politics, economics, entertainment, advertisement, crime, culture, accidents and so on. They will measure the items and calculate the proportion of a theme in that particular page.

Questions:

01. What is the general impression after analyzing the newspaper?

02. What theme has received importance in the paper? Is it justified?

03. What should be the contents of an ideal news paper?

04. What should be the ideal measure a theme should receive?

05. What is the intention or purpose of the newspaper?

Analysis:

-- The purpose of the newspaper: It is to educate the public       and give authentic news without distortion to ventilate         public grievances; to give other information; communicate       social value etc.

-- Today's newspapers are biased, politically controlled           backed by a political party and therefore supporting it.

-- News exaggerated, crime highlighted and other personal          interests sought.

-- Therefore do not take the newspaper news as authentic news.

-- Discover the encouragement to consumerism in advertisement      rather than an authentic information about the products.

-- Notice the waste in newspaper by giving unimportant and         unnecessary news.

-- Do yo think the paper is your money's worth.

-- How much should you really pay for the newspaper that you       read?

-- Who controls our mass media? What % of coverage is given       for rural struggles, IIIrd world nations and rural              developments?

-- Is our mass media independent? Do we really have right to       express?

                                                                       IF I WERE FREE FOR A DAY

Aim: Use of freedom.

Procedure: The participants are told that they have a day at their disposal to do what they wish. They have enough money and every possible thing. The day will not be supervised by anyone. Neither will anybody question about the activity of the day afterwards. Hence the day will be forgotten. You will not have laws on that day; there is no sin, no law enforces and therefore its a day of absolute freedom.  How would you spend such a day? Plan out your own time-table. Individuals may do this exercise or the same can be done in a group. (Since this is a very personal exercise, the animator must refrain from seeing the pages of participants and also must not ask any-thing to be shared in public).

Questions:

01. How would you spend the day?

02. Was it easy to spend the day?

03. Was there conflicting choices and options?

04. Was there any fear and of what nature?

05. Did you feel free to plan out the day?

06. What restricts your freedom in real life?

07. Do you feel forced in real life; as other people want you       to?

Analysis:

-- Absolute freedom is not possible; but we do have certain        amount of freedom. How to utilize the given freedom to us.

-- Freedom does not mean doing what I like and not doing what      I don't like.

-- If would mean opening oneself to do what is right as a          human being.

-- Therefore true freedom produces growth.

-- True freedom respects freedom of human beings around us.

-- True freedom is also based on love, e.g. mother forgoing a      meal for the sake of a hungry child; - a free act of love.

-- What is the criterion to call freedom true and good.                                

                                                                                     TRUST WALK

Aim:- Awareness of our trust in our neighbour.

Things required:- Scalp for blindfolding.

Procedure: All participants form pair. One of the partners is blindfolded and the other leads the blindfolded in the garden or a ground etc. After a specific time the partners change role.

Questions:

01. How do you describe the inner feelings you had during the       trust walk?

02. Was your partner helpful and could you trust him/her?

03. What did you discover about yourself?

04. Did the trust walk remind you any of your past experience?

Analysis:

-- Trust walk is knowing oneself and knowing how much you          trust others.

-- You come to know the trustworthiness of people.

-- You discover your reaction towards people who disregard the     trust you have in them.

-- Lack of trust leads to fear, insecurity, doubt suspicion        etc. and spoils relationship. This has become the cause of      many social evils.

                                                               TRUST FALL (a variation of trust walk)

Procedure: A participant stands erect and four participants stand around him/her at the distance of approximately 2 feet. two of them stand by the side, one behind and one in front. Each of the four is given a number 1, 2, 3 and 4. The participant in the centre closes his/her eyes, calls out the number of any one of them and falls towards the direction of the number called without shifting the feet and keeping the body erect, e.g. if the person behind is number 4 participant who closes his eyes calls out number four to caution him/her and falls backwards and falls into the arms of number four.

N.B. :- This game requires seriousness. Take care to put strong people in the surrounding circle who are capable of supporting the weight of the person at the centre while falling.

Questions and analysis are similar to `Trust walk'

                                                                                SLOGANS OF LIFE

Aim:- Self awareness and an awareness of others' character and temperament.

Procedure:  A few slogans will be put up on the black board. The participants are asked to choose any slogan which appeals to them most. The slogans can be as follows:

01. busy .... do not disturb. 02. Touch me not.

03. Beware.                                                           04. ...... Help

05. .. Give respect and take respect.

06. Welcome                                        07. Learn from me.

08. I've the right answer.    09. Come to me.

10. Please put up with me.

11. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

12. Look at me.                                   13. Please don't look at me.

14. Kick me.                                                         15. I'm the saviour.

16. I'm not a child.                              17. I'm an adult.

18. Business!!??.... come to my chamber.

19. Time is precious... I can't afford to waste.

20. I'm a wreck ... don't dare to involve with me.

21. Keep distance please.  22.Private property.

23. Believe me.                                    24. It's impossible.

25. Please understand me.

26. Failures are stepping stones to doom.

27. Mind your business.                     28. I am good enough.

After individuals make a choice of a slogan they are asked to share the slogan with their group and give the reasons for choosing this slogan.

Analysis:

-- It can be very revealing about ourselves, why, we chooses       a particular slogan.

-- All of us have a slogan in life and we express it in            different ways - words, actions, deeds, attitudes, e.g. If      the secret slogan of my life is `I'm Busy' we fail to give      time to people in life; when we believe that people don't       treat us well and people don't listen to us we develop a        slogan `please understand me' and our behaviour becomes         martyr-like.

-- It is good to know our as well as other's slogans of life       for a cooperative living.

                                                                       EPITAPH ON TOMB STONE

Aim: To work towards the ideals we hold in our life.

Procedure: The participants are given an example of an epitaph on a tomb stone like `I will not rest until every tear is wiped out from every eye' is the epitaph on Gandhi's tomb. Similarly the participants are asked to frame an epitaph to their tomb stone. Each participant is given enough time to discern the goal in life and frame an epitaph. It is later shared in the group; and if the whole group is too big they share in the smaller groups.

Analysis:

-- We wish to have an epitaph on our tomb that which we hole       as a great value in life.

-- It reveals our inner selves and what we hold precious. But      it would remain meaningless if we do not work towards it in     our life time to that extent the epitaph framed by us will      be irrelevant and a contradiction on our tomb. Therefore we     need to work towards a fuller realization of the goal of        our life.

-- If you wait people to write such an epitaph that you have       in mind you need to live such a life. If you are cold           towards the needs of others do not expect people to write       `here lies a warm heart'!

                                                         DISCUSSION ON CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC

Aim: To bring out the need for proper listening and speaking to the point.

Procedure: The participants are given a debatable topic which calls for a controversy, e.g. `Religion is a bane to society.' A person is asked to speak in favour of the topic giving two or three reasons for his stand; the person speaking against has to repeat what the former has said and then given his/her counter arguments. In turn the first person or the third person has to repeat the arguments and then give his/her arguments. The process continues accordingly.

It can be noted that the persons will not merely forget the arguments to be repeated but also not are not bothered to repeat. In other words the counter arguments will be independent of the arguments put forth.

Questions:

01. How long did you repeat the arguments? Was it easy to do        so?

02. Was there an attitude of listening and speaking to the          point?

Analysis:

-- We often get into arguments in daily life since we are          unique individuals we have our own ideas, ideals, openions,     etc., based on our background, values, thinking, etc.

-- What is required therefore, is an understanding of the          person involved in the controversy and an openness to the       view of the others. In arguments we often tend to bombard       our ideas rather than listen to others. When the others         speak we are busy framing our arguments. This leads to          misunderstanding, misquoting etc.

-- The consequences of such controversies turn out to be a hot     argument culminating in a fight instead of a healthy open-      minded debate for a better understanding.

                                                                                  LETTER TO GOD

Aim: To give an experience (awareness) of the down to earthiness of `God reality'.

Procedure: Participants are asked to write a letter to God. One can write anything he/she wants to write.

Note: Animator must avoid reading any of the letters. This is strictly a personal exercise.

Analysis :

-- Do we feel free to express everything that we feel deep          within us to God. If yes - that is true prayer.

-- True prayer is telling Him everything - joyful and              sorrowful freely.

-- Reverence to God should come out of love and not out of         fear.

                                                                                HEALING SESSION

Aim: To give an experience of inner release and serenity that flows from accepting ourselves as we are and by experiencing an unconditional acceptance from Jesus. To realize the social dimension / the only dimension of our sin.

Things required: All should carry a paper and pencil/pen. a pot of fire.

Procedure: All sit in a circle.

a) Introduction:

-- sin is always and necessarily social .... etc.

-- we are here to get reconciled to each other and to ourselves. And to feel the deep acceptance of Jesus.

-- We all form one community and therefore any `breakage' should be repaired etc.

b) An appropriate Bhajan should be sung to create a reflective mood.

c) A short talk on the kindness of Jesus is given in an appealing way.

d) participants are asked first to recall to mind and then to write down five or six of their bitter experiences with regard to their relationships or the experiences that make them feel guilty etc. on a sheet of paper.

e) All come back and sit in a circle.

f) Take Jesus and your `bitter' neighbour and `show' tell them your feelings. Offer all of them together with your neighbour to Jesus.

g) Then participants are left free to make spontaneous prayers.

h) Then participants come one by one and put their papers into the fire pot that is kept in the centre of the circle.

i) A thanks giving prayer is made.

Note: The animator should make it clear that healing session is not a problem solving session; hence problems will not be solved. But it is like cleansing wounds and bandaging them again. The whole session should not exceed more than 40 to 45 minutes.