Frame Your Group’s Experience
To “frame” is simply another word for “prepare.”
In other words, for an experience (no matter the program or curriculum) to be successful, you MUST prepare your group in advance.
Appropriately framing an activity – that is, to “set the scene,” or provide a context in which the activity will take place – is one of the most valuable tools I employ to help groups achieve their goals, that is, be successful. Otherwise, your group may not be ready – in most cases, emotionally under-prepared – for what is about to happen.
People have a natural proclivity to want to know why they are doing what they are doing. Framing goes a long way towards answering these questions, as well as reducing anxiety, providing clarity, and generally coaxing people forward into your program.
Everything you do programmatically provides the context in which the next activity/experience is framed. For example:
- Your language – it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Your intentions, tone, and body language shout volumes about what you’re thinking and what is expected;
- Lead-up activities – like building blocks, each activity (or experience) should aim to complement the next, rather than subvert it. To illustrate, leading into a serious discussion with a very energetic, bounce-off-the-wall type of activity is unlikely to result in a settled, composed or focused group of people.
- Your general approach to facilitation – for exmaple, if you operate under the premise of “challenge by choice,” but your overall demeanour or instructions provide no room for choice, you are likely to turn people off.
Ask yourself, “Have I done everything to prepare my group – emotionally, mentally and physically – for this experience?” “Do they know what they are getting into, and why?”
If not, think about what lead-up activities (or experiences) you could use to prepare thy way, or perhaps what introduction / briefing might be necessary to soothe the group into the activity.
Adapted from Things I’ve Learned Along The Way article in ‘No Props: Great Games with No Equipment.’
Comments
Hi, please share something of value to others here...
-
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.
--| FREE ACTIVITY eBOOK |--
Enter your name and email address in the form below to receive a FREE 30 page ebook which features ten of the BEST ice-breakers & group games I know!
Share: Tell others about this site...
@markcollard