Jen Stanchfield

My last few posts have explored the power of play to help learners build decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. I have emphasized that educators can intentionally “weave in” opportunities for groups to practice these skills throughout their day- to-day lessons. Processing discussions can be one of those great opportunities to maximize learning. My favorite method for engaging a group in reflection or “processing” also involves the practice of group decision-making and consensus building.

I really enjoy using postcards, “Chiji Cards” and objects as a tool for facilitating meaningful dialogue and processing with groups. Over the years, I have learned that using objects and imagery in processing and reflection leads to more in-depth discussions and outcomes with my groups. These methods are effective because participants can attach their thoughts to an object that can be touched and shown to a group.  Because the participants can talk about the object or image rather than themselves directly, they can express thoughts that would otherwise be left unsaid.  When groups use pictures and objects in reflective discussions, the thoughts, ideas, and connections seem broader and deeper than when using dialogue alone.  A visual representation of an experience can be effective long after the experience is over, reminding a group or participant of the key lessons learned(for more on this subject see my October 19th WNB blog post “Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection”).

For many years, especially during my time working with small groups in treatment programs I used tools such as processing cards (from a collection of postcards or a deck of Chiji cards) or objects (from a collection of household objects, found objects or charms) in just one way. I would have each individual choose a card or object that represented their personal strength, their, or his or her perspective about an experience or activity.

Then I made a major shift in my facilitation approaches about 10 years ago when I moved from working with small groups in the therapeutic setting to larger groups in classrooms public schools, and business groups in the training setting. When working with these larger groups I couldn’t always use the cards and objects in the same way that I had with my therapeutic groups of 6-12 participants. It was impractical (and potentially tedious) for 24 group members to pick individual cards and share out in dialogue circle or in a class session. But I still wanted to use the cards!

So, one day after a group challenge in the physical education classroom I experimented with spreading out a whole deck of Chiji cards on the gym floor and asked the group of 24 students to come to agreement on one card that represented what they achieved together. I was amazed at the results….

The students immediately were drawn in by the cards. They were seeing this as another engaging activity or challenge rather than that “that boring processing thing you do after the fun activity”. It was if they were unaware that they were processing.

I became hooked on this method after hearing the rich dialogue that occurred as the students discussed the rationale for “their card” and worked on coming to consensus on one card for the group. The student’s shared profound insights about the cards and their connection to the activity learning as they came to consensus (without even realizing they were debriefing or processing).

I noticed that many group members who usually didn’t speak up during class or group sessions were expressing a great deal as they made an argument for their card. They often took the lead instead of the other loud voices by suggesting an alternative card that blended concepts put forward by different group members. Though it was a rich and meaningful discussion it also fit into the time parameters available in the short class time.

Since that time this has become my method of choice when using cards or objects in group processing or debriefing regardless of my group size. I have continued to witness this kind of interest and engagement in the activity and meaningful discussion stemming from the process of coming to consensus, sharing ideas and perspectives, and even arguing about what best represents the group. The rich dialogue that emerges from this method is great, as is the opportunity to practice group decision- making.

Examples of “Consensus” methods in processing:

ONE CARD OR OBJECT TO REPRESENT “Our Achievement”:
• After an activity/important moment/ end of session I just ask the group to come to agreement on one card/object that best represent their experience as a group, the strengths of the group, or something they have achieved together.

THREE CARDS TO TELL A STORY of “Where We Were, Where We Went and Where We Are Going”(Dave Lockett at Stevens Point School District sparked this idea when I was using processing cards with one of our groups on the challenge course):
• Have the group use the cards to tell a story of their experience together. Ask them to come to agreement and pick three of these symbols to describe:
• Where they were when they arrived, or first came together as a group
• Where they “went” as a group,
• Where they are Going next and/or what they plan to do with the learning
• This has become one of my favorite methods for helping a group tie it all together and connect experiences to future learning. I often use it as a closing activity or as way to “check in” halfway through a program. This gives participants an opportunity to influence the direction of their remaining time together.

SKILLS TO CARRY WITH US
• In the midst of a program or course have the group pick three objects s that represent important skills they used in completing that challenge that will be useful in upcoming activities, challenges, or day to day work life. Have them carry these objects on with them to the next activity. The group often spontaneously refers back to these objects/skills when they are engaged in a future challenge. You can also ways to intentionally integrate them into the next activity to carry lessons forward.

I have found in my work with ongoing groups when groups agree on an object or symbol that represents their collective experience, this symbol can often end up carrying a great deal of power for a group and emerges again later in different ways. It can be integrated later on into symbols for their group’s success, for “group norms symbols” or sometimes morphs into a group or team “mascot”.

Each group is very different in how they approach the decision- making aspect of this activity. For some groups it can be a great opportunity to discuss the difference between voting and consensus. It often inspires discussion around quick methods for coming to consensus such as “fist of 5″ of thumbs up which the groups continue to implement throughout their time together. Some of the most powerful discussions arise when there is disagreement as individual group members argue for their individual choice and then someone suggests an alternative card that combines many of the ideas put forth by others. Regardless of the final decision, it always seems to lead to rich discussion.

References:
Stanchfield, Jennifer. (2007). Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation. OKC. OK: Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing.

Cain, J., Cummings, M & Stanchfield J. (2005). A Teachable Moment: A Facilitator’s Guide to Activities for Processing, Debriefing, Reviewing and Reflection. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing

Simpson, S., Miller D., & Bocher B. (2006). The Processing Pinnacle: An Educator’s Guide to Better Processing. Oklahoma City: Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing

Resources for Using Objects and Images in Reflection:
www.chiji.com
www.experientialtools.com
www.training-wheels.com

I was working with a 2nd grade classroom in Middleton, Wisconsin, helping a teacher implement community building activities in her classroom.

Early in the session I used the “partner choice/which one” scenario for dividing the class up into teams in preparation for a game of Play dough Pictionary (see November 23rd entry).

I had them imagine they were at the circus and seeking out cotton candy. After waiting in line for the cotton candy they found that there was only one blue and one pink cotton candy left at the stand. The students had to decide who would get which one… One pair of students started arguing rather intensely about who should get the blue. Everyone else was ready to move on.

Instead of intervening directly with the students who were arguing. I decided to get everyone’s attention for a moment and ask a pair of students who had decided to share how they came to their decision to the group. One of the students shared: “Well, we both wanted the pink cotton candy, but I am okay with blue AND I wanted to find out what you are going to have us do with those spots and the play dough, so I let her have the pink one.”  Immediately the undecided pair looked at each other and quickly came to agreement.

At that point the student’s teacher and I took a few minutes to talk about the meaning of “compromise” and why we sometimes let go of our first choice to make things work for the group and ourselves. We moved on to the other cooperative activities we had planned for the day and forgot about the conversation.

That evening the teacher called me to tell me that a few hours after I left the students were lining up for lunch when a squabble erupted about who’s turn it was to lead the line to the cafeteria. Just as she was going to intervene, a little voice from the back of the line said: “You know guys, this is just like the cotton candy. We all just want to get to lunch.” This ended the squabble immediately- without adult intervention.

Sometimes the simple exercises we engage students in have more of an effect than we realize. Over my years working with groups I have noticed that some of the best “successes” in teaching come by accident; or the most profound lessons can come from the seemingly “less important” activities you engage a group in rather than the intense problem- solving lesson you carefully designed for the group.

Think about those “simple” opportunities you can weave into the day to day activities you plan for your group that practice these important life skills…

Reference: Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation. Jennifer Stanchfield. 2007: Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing.

The Disappearance of Neighborhood Games of Kick-the Can, Part Two: Strategies for Helping Participants of All Ages Learn Through Play.

In Monday’s post I mentioned that I had observed a trend of children and adolescents missing out the development of important social & emotional skills because of a lack of time for “free play” without adult intervention.

I believe we can intentionally bring some opportunities for this kind of peer-to-peer learning and conflict resolution practice in our structured settings such as school, camp, and other recreational programs. When I work with people of all ages in experiential team building programs I purposefully create situations/opportunities for participants to practice coming to agreement on the rules of the game, a team name, a team symbol etc. I use methods that involve pairs and then groups making simple choices together and work up to practicing consensus.

Here is one of my favorite simple strategies for helping learners of any age practice these important skills:

Which one? Partner Decision Making Method for Dividing Into Teams: This activity came from my time teaching in Stevens Point, Wisconsin School District’s Experiential Education program. I started getting bored with the old counting off “1-2″ method of dividing students into teams or groups for a project or activity. I discovered through experimenting with this new method that I had found a fun and engaging way to divide into groups or teams for an activity or classroom project while at the same time helping participant’s practice communication, decision- making, consensus, making a compromise with peers.

Directions:

• Have everyone find a partner.  In many situations a student will often pick a buddy you would rather they are separated from. This is fine, even preferable, because they will be splitting up soon. This method of dividing honors their need to partner with a friend because it gives the friends something to do together before they split up.
• Present a hypothetical situation with two choices. For example: “Imagine it is summer and the two of you are near a river. You want to play on the river, but the only boats available are a kayak and a one-person canoe. Which one of you will take the kayak, and which the canoe? Or: You are at an ice cream stand and the freezer has broken down, there is only one cone of chocolate, one of cookie dough. Who gets which? Cookie dough’s become one team, chocolates the other. Other scenarios I have used: cotton candy flavors, roller blades or skateboards, toboggan or saucer sled etc.

Over the year’s I have noticed that kids of all ages have bought into this method of dividing teams without “pre-arranging” themselves the way participants often do with the old 1,2 count off method. I think it could be because they get to have the connection with their friend first- you are honoring their need to pair with who they are comfortable first before sending them apart.

It can be surprising how intense the discussions and negotiations around these imaginary decisions can be!

I have had many teachers report how they have appreciated this simple exercise for helping practice and reinforce conflict resolution, positive decision- making and the idea of compromising-coming to consensus. Adult participants share that they enjoy the sense of connection and humor from sharing and making decisions about these hypothetical scenarios.

Reference: Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation. Jennifer Stanchfield, Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing 2007

Middleton School District Experiential Education Curriculum; Jennifer Stanchfield, 2001

I started realizing this might be influenced by the fact that many students in today’s society don’t have the opportunity to engage in the unsupervised free play with peers that many of us who are now adults did during our childhood.

Our society is becoming increasingly isolative.  Children aren’t out playing pickup games of kickball or kick the can in their neighborhoods during free time after school, or on summer evenings as they once did. Parents are often fearful about letting kids play and roam the neighborhood on their own.

Children and adolescents participate in a great deal of solo video and computer games. Most often children’s group recreation these days involves team sports, clubs, and after school programs led by adults. There is obviously great value in structured team and after school programs, and a benefit to having excellent adult role models in these programs who positively impact students.

A downside of this shift is that kid’s are not gaining the important skills that are learned from interaction with peer only groups without adult intervention. They miss out on opportunities to practice being flexible and making compromises with each other in order to make a game work and learning that play is not always “getting their way” or winning. In peer only activities kids gain valuable experience in coming to consensus on the rules of play, decision-making, and developing social skills around communication and conflict resolution.

I remember as a kid having many opportunities for unstructured play in our neighborhood; pickup games of all kinds filled our summer days and after-school hours. Arguments about who was “it” or who won inevitably arose, but we figured out ways to work it out ourselves rather than interrupt the game to run home and get an adult to decide for us. It appears that in modern society with less participation in peer-only play, kids are missing out on opportunities to gain conflict resolution, problem solving and group communication skills. We can help students gain these skills by providing opportunities within our adult led structured programs to practice decision making and communication on their own.

After observing this trend in students I work with,  I started intentionally focusing on implementing activities that practice the use of decision-making by consensus. I purposefully create situations and opportunities that allow students to practice coming to agreement on the rules of the game, a team name, a team symbol etc. I use methods that involve pairs and then groups making simple choices together and work up to practicing group consensus. This a valuable practice for groups of all ages.

In the next few days I will post some of my favorite activities and strategies for helping learners practice these important skills. Please share your thoughts about the changes in the patterns of play, the value of “free play” and strategies you have found useful in helping students learn and practice these valuable life skills within structured programs.