Got A Question?
Do you have a programming or leadership question?
Are you looking for a particular activity to suit your group’s needs?
Ask Mark!
Some recent questions include -
Q: Looking for Problem-Solving Activities That Are Missing a Vital Clue?
Q: Activities Appropriate for Kids with Autism / ADHD?
Q: When to Stop an Activity that’s not Working?
Q: How to deal with group’s expectations?
Click here to see the answers…
Fifty Things To Do Before You’re 11…
Did you know that fewer than one in 10 children regularly play in wild places, compared with almost half a generation ago?
This is the finding of a report commissioned by Britain’s National Trust, which also found that a third of children have never climbed a tree! Really? 
I thought this was core curriculum for every kid. Not so, apparently.
In response to a world suffocated by “screen” time, the Trust compiled a list of 50 things every kid under 11 years of age should do.
This list includes simple outdoor pleasures such as:
- running around in the rain,
- bug hunting,
- snail racing
- flying a kite, etc.
So, … when was the last time you rolled down a hill, climbed a tree, or even played a tag game?
A great article, and one that reminds me not to neglect the simplest pleasures of “being a kid” (no matter how old we are).
My favourite thing to do as a kid? – build cubby huts, and discover rock pools at the beach…
Click HERE, to tell me your favourite outdoor activity when you were 11 years old …
Stop Stealing Dreams
The economy has changed, probably forever. School hasn’t.
Everyone asks “What do you think we ought to do about education
?” Seth Godin responds by asking “What is school for?”
I regard Seth Godin as one of the most passionate and brilliant thinkers of our time. His manifesto ‘Stop Stealing Dreams‘ is dedicated to every teacher who cares enough to change the system, and to every student brave enough to stand up and speak up.
I urge you to click the link below, download his manifesto, and start thinking about what is possible.
CLICK HERE to download the ‘Stop Stealing Dreams’ pdf
As Seth says.. “…Ultimately, our future belongs to a generation that decides to be passionate about learning and shipping (ie creating and producing), and great teachers are the foundation for that…”
And when you’re done, come back here and add a comment, share your ideas….
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Exercise As Brain Food
In the past 12 months there has been a growing mountain of research that has generated a lot of excitement in PE and adventure-based learning circles which speaks to the CRITICAL VALUE of integrating play and exercise in our lives, every day! Especially for kids.
Click the image at right to read this short article.
As John Ratey says in his book ‘Spark,‘ exercise and play are as essential to human development and health as sleep and nutrition. I highly recommend reading his book for more details.
So… how often did you exercise / move your body today? That’s what it’s designed for.
End Of Year Gifts
In the spirit of Xmas, here are three gifts I’d like to pass onto you.
I have received so much value from each of these three resources during the year, I feel compelled to share them with you too (the first two are free):
Seth Godin’s Blog – Seth is a brilliant thinker. I receive his short blog every day, and it’s always one of the first things I read. I think he’s one of the world’s most brilliant entrepreneurial thinkers, and pushes me to enter my “stretch zone” to be remarkable all the time. Click HERE to subscribe to Seth’s free blog today.
TED (Technology, Entertainment & Design) – This site is all about ideas worth spreading. If you like to be inspired, gob-smacked and down-right moved, then drop into this site on a regular occasion. It’s free and features only the best people and thinkers in their fields.
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science Of Exercise & The Brain (John Ratey) – If you’re interested in how physical activity and play are related to developing more effective learners (think students), then you MUST get this book. I heard John give an address in Boston a few months ago, and there was a standing ovation. We need to hear and heed John’s message. If you live in Australia or New Zealand, you can get his book ‘Spark’ by clicking this link and entering the discount code “Inspire.”
Happy holidays everyone!
PS: See you in the new year, when I launch an exciting NEW initiative – the ultimate on-line resource of games and activities that inspire groups to play, trust and learn!
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Taking Play Seriously
Hi folks, I was sitting in a plane on Monday heading to Boston (to celebrate Project Adventure’s 40th anniversary this weekend), and read with interest the following newspaper articles from The Age (10/10/11):
- Exercise Linked To Higher Test Scores - in short, the more your students move and play, the more they learn in ALL areas of their education.
- Let The Children Play – New National Guidelines Advise - finally, official recognition that play makes a powerful difference to the quality of kid’s learning.
And, then today, Don MacDowall passed on a note regarding next week’s forum ‘Taking Play Seriously’ which, sadly, I can’t get to but figured some of you (in VIC) would be interested. Here’s the details (click here for pdf):
Taking Play Seriously forum: encouraging debate on risk and active recreation to assist in identifying the next steps for strategy and policy. Includes international keynote speaker Tim Gill, one of the UK’s leading thinkers on childhood and advocate for change.
Wednesday 19 October 2011, 2:00pm to 4.30pm
State Library, Village Roadshow Theatrette, Entry 3, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
RSVP By Wednesday 12 October to rsvp@vichealth.vic.gov.au or call 0408 147 914
Enjoy!
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Folks, please find time today – not tomorrow – to view this video of an address Sir Ken Robinson made some years ago for TED – I’ve been an avid viewer of TED presentations for some years now (it’s free), and it is nothing if not revolutionary.
Click here to view Sir Ken’s address entitled: Do Schools Kill Creativity?
I urge every educator to watch this video. It’s funny, moving and tells the truth about what’s wrong with our schools.
By all means, share this video with others (click link below). Or leave a comment here.
Have a great day!
Playing with Michelle Cummings
Hi folks, I spent a training day – as a participant (something I rarely get to do) – with Michelle Cummings this week. Michelle was visiting from the USA (as a guest of the ACA), where she offers a variety of team-building programs and training resources.
It was a fun day and I learned some new ideas and group games which I’ll be sharing with you here over the next few weeks, so stay tuned…
Click here if you’d like to learn more about Michelle and her creative resources.
Thanks Michelle, it was great to meet with you!
When Is An Ice-Breaker Not An Ice-Breaker?
I’ve just finished writing an article for a new Squidoo lens I’ve created which focuses on getting the most out of your ice-breakers and group games.
Click here to find out when an ice-breaker is not an ice-breaker.
Even experienced practitioners will learn something from this post, because I identify five CRITICAL attributes every ice-breaker must have to ensure that it is successful. In fact, I’m betting that much of what you’re calling an “ice-breaker” is NOT an ice-breaker at all!
And, certainly if you’re new to using games and activities, it’s a MUST-read.
Do you agree with me? Click HERE to leave a comment …
PS: If you’re a fellow squid, feel free to LIKE my lens 
2011 PD Workshops Posted
Hey folks, I’ve been meaning to remind you all that I have posted a stack of one-day professional development workshop dates for VIC, TAS, NSW and QLD….
>>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DATES <<<
And of course, most of my time is spent delivering custom workshops of this nature all over the place. If you’re interested in having me come to you (your group), let me know.
Have a great day! Mark
End Of Year Wisdom
I received a wonderful ‘end-of-year’ letter from Adam Clark – one of my early Project Adventure buddies who now lives in Japan, and inspires me no end - and I was struck by this little gem he added – I figured you’d like it too:
LIFE IS LIKE A GAME,
SO REMEMBER TO PLAY
So true.
Have you played today?
Happy holidays everyone, and thanks for all of your support during the year.
Have FUNN, Mark
What Is Play?
Hey, I’ve been thinking, and sharing and doing some more thinking about this lately…
… just what is the true essence of PLAY?
I’ve come to the conclusion that play is not an activity (which is where most people’s minds go when they think of the word), rather … I’m beginning to view it is a state of mind.
When you “play” – truly play – you can not pretend. You are who are, and you behave and react and simply “be” who you truly are.
So, when I invite my group “to play” at the start of a program, I’m inviting them to consider what they will bring to the activity, the session, the program. And what they bring will make all the difference.
If they choose to play, then I can expect an extraordinary result because the group will be free of any pretense and will be prepared to deal with the “what is” and get to work on what they want to achieve together. Rather than deal with the crap most individuals carry with them into a group experience.
To me, play is not a game, it’s a state of mind, a place to “be.”
What do you think?
If you have a thought to share about play, click this link to leave a comment here. I’m all ears…
A New Wordle
If you’ve been to one of my workshops, you’ll know that I love puzzles, and one of my favourites is Wordles - you know, those absorbing cryptic word puzzles that come with a hidden word or phrase. Such as:
R | E | A | D | I | N | G
… which is the wordle for Reading Between The Lines.
These fun brain-teasers are ideal for inspiring creative thinking, not to mention, filling in a few idle minutes. Or, do as I do, present them while you’re waiting for people to turn up – it’s a great way to keep people busy and interacting.
Here’s one that stumped me recently, which hard core Wordle lovers may also find challenging:
CY CY
Hover your cursor here for the answer, but only after you’ve thunk for a while!
If you love these clever little puzzles, take a look at ‘Count Me In’ in which you’ll find dozens and dozens of them at the back of the book.
Do you know any new Wordles to share? If so, please leave a comment here…
Serious Play
Hi folks,
If you have ever thought (or hoped) that there was a connection between play and someone’s well-being, then you’ll love what I’m about to share with you.
The book ‘Play‘ by Dr Stuart Brown speaks directly to the connection between the critical importance of play and people’s well-being. As I’ve often wondered, Dr Brown’s research confirms that a state of play (as defined below) triggers the brain to embrace learning more effectively than most other tools.
You can listen to Dr Brown speaking at a conference here.
You can learn more about his book here.
Properties of Play (pages 17-18) – that is, what is it, distinct from other activity?
- Apparently purposeless – done for it’s own sake.
- Voluntary – the player deternimes their own level of participation, if any.
- Inherent attraction – as I say, fun is pretty hard to stand away from.
- Freedom from time – ever notice that when you’re fully engaged in something you like to do, time flies?
- Diminished consciousness of self – the focus is always on the doing, not on the who.
- Improvisational potential – rules rarely matter, and when used they are easily changed.
- Continuation desire – you wish you could play forever.
One of the most important things Dr Brown has to say is…
“Play is a state of mind, rather than an activity. Remember the definition of play: an absorbing, apparently purposeless activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of self-consciousness and sense of time. It is also self motivating and makes you want to do it again. We have to put ourselves in the proper emotional state to play.” (page 61)
This is SO true.
Play has little to do with the activity, and everything to do with what you bring to it. Geez, even washing the dishes could be considered play, IF you prepare a playful emotional state of play to it!! I believe this understanding could have an ENORMOUS impact on our curriculum, and in particular, the manner in which we teach it!!
Dr Brown has many controversial things to say, such as:
- There is a strong connection between a person’s ability to use their hands (at play) and their ability to solve problems;
- Social skills and intelligence is strongly related to a person’s propensity to play.
- The opposite of play is not work, rather it is depression!!
- The basis of human trust is established through human play signals.
What do you think? – leave a comment below…
I think he’s right on the money, and makes me even more passionate than ever to inspire people to integrate a sense of play into their curriculum / programs.
In conclusion, what does this all mean to you and me? Here’s what Dr Brown suggests (pages 206-216):
- Study your play history.
- Expose yourself to play.
- Give yourself permission to be playful, to be a beginner.
- Fun is your North Star, but you don’t always have to head north.
- Be active.
- Free yourself of your fears.
- Nourish your mode of play, and be with people who nourish it, too.
Have FUNN!
2010 Workshop Calendar Announced
Hi folks,
Good News – my 2010 Public Enrolment Workshops dates are now out!
NEW for this year is the Advanced Facilitation Skills workshop – two awesome days designed for a maximum of 12 people to try out their stuff and receive feedback on their programming, processing and facilitation skills. I promise you, this will be THE MOST significant learning experience that you’ll ever be a part of that WILL enhance your leadership skills. Space is limited, so sign up now.
See you soon, Mark
Welcome to Inspire’s NEW Blog
Hi folks!
This blog has just been set up, with its sole AIM – to promote discussion, sharing and learning about anything to do with group activities, facilitation and programming ideas.
Watch this space for TONS of great ideas that will keep your groups interacting and having FUNN in your programs. Free activities, videos, tutorials, etc and naturally LOTS of chatting and sharing.
If you’ve got an idea, please add a comment!
You’ll see me on here all the time, so I’m all ears…
have FUNN, Mark
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Who am I?
Hi, I'm Mark Collard.
This blog shares some of the most successful group games, team-building activities & programming tips I know.
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