10 presentation dynamics for children and adult groups

Most of the people we are constantly meeting new people. With most people we generally make superficial, rather casual contact. But sometimes we really want to meet someone, especially when he is going to be someone with whom we are going to have a more fluid relationship. The perfect example is starting a new job, or starting a school year in childhood. And meeting someone from scratch can be more difficult than it sounds, especially for those of a shy nature.

To face this situation, it can be useful to carry out different presentation dynamics like the ones we are going to mention along the following lines.

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What is a presentation dynamic?

Before going to see different presentation dynamics, it is advisable to first make a short introduction to know what we are referring to.

Dynamics is understood to be that set of resources, strategies, methods and techniques used for the purpose of achieve a certain objective, generally causing some type of movement or action on the part of one or more agents.

With regard to presentation dynamics, we would be talking about different methods designed to facilitate initial contact and interaction between members of a group, in such a way that deeper ties can be established later or that there is recognition between individuals. They are generally very useful for everyone, although they are especially useful for those more shyly or difficulty establishing initial contact.

It is common for presentation dynamics to have a certain playful component, in such a way that a positive emotional climate is established and learning and relaxation of those involved is favored.

It is important to bear in mind that the effectiveness of this remedy is not only linked to the practice itself, but will be conditioned by a great variety of factors. Among them we can find the context, the situation and the moment in which they are carried out, the way of approaching those who are going to carry it out, the level of relationship of the dynamics in question with the objectives that are intended to be met, the expertise of the person who starts it or the adequacy of this to the capacities, motivations and even personality of those who are going to do it. perform.

Likewise, it may seem that presentation dynamics are typical of children's contexts. But while it is true that they are especially useful and widely used in the world of education, are also carried out among adults and even the elderly. For example, it is not uncommon to find practices of this type in the workplace. They are also employable therapeutically to train social skills. It can even be used to perform cognitive stimulation, serving to promote immediate or even longer-term memory.

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Examples of dynamics to introduce yourself

Here are a dozen simple dynamics that can be used in a versatile way in a wide variety of contexts.

1. Name string

Probably the simplest dynamic, it is based on forming a circle. Each of the participants will say their name and their basic characteristics before moving on to the next one. Once this is done, each person will take turns saying the name of each of the members of the group. It can be done faster and faster or change direction from time to time to make it different.

2. Pass the ball

A simple but effective game. Participants must form a circle, and at first each member of the group, in turn, tells the rest of her name. After that, a ball is taken that the members of the group must pass around. Who receives the ball must say the name of who has passed it before throwing it to another person, who must do the same. It is not necessary to follow an order in the passes, and this can be hazardous as long as all the participants are integrated.

If you want to add a competitive component or as a way to end the game, as time goes by the ball will be thrown faster and faster. Whoever does not correctly identify the person who has passed it or fails to catch the ball is eliminated. Of course, this last paragraph should only be applied in a playful context, not being recommended in certain sectors of the population.

3. Woolen cobweb

A dynamic similar to the previous one. In this case, There is a ball of wool that will unravel as it passes between the members of the group. It is one of the most used presentation dynamics in boys and girls.

First, a person will say her name or some aspect previously agreed by the group as the main element of presentation, and then move on to the next ball. This will have to repeat what the previous one has said and add his own presentation before passing it again, and so on.

4. Introduce each other

All participants are put into groups of two. Among them they will introduce themselves by saying their basic data and some identifying or unexpected detail or some particular taste or dream. Later the whole group will meet and each member of each pair will introduce the other.

5. Presentation through bullets

It is a somewhat different way of presenting themselves, in which each of the members of the group draw four vignettes on a sheet of paper that represent identifying aspects of the person or experiences Recent After that, They will be put in pairs and each one will explain to the other what they have drawn and why it represents them.

6. Find the match

This dynamic is based on choosing phrases, sayings or familiar drawings that are divided in two and distributed among the members of the group. Each one must find the person who has the part of the sentence or picture that is missing.

7. The card game

Each member of the group receives a card and a safety pin. In it they will put their name, horizontally or vertically, and from at least some of the letters other words will be generated. Specifically positive adjectives about the person himself.

After that, time is allowed for the participants to walk around the room. Finally, they will meet as a group and formally introduce themselves. It will be tried that the rest remember the characteristics and / or the names of the rest, asking a moderator to each one about the characteristics of a colleague.

8. The dice

A die of relatively large proportions will be previously created, an interesting aspect will be placed on each face that can be used to present yourself. For example “my main motivation is…”, “I want to work in…”, “my favorite dish is…”. Later each of the members of the group will roll the dice and will have to give an answer to the sentence that comes out. This will be repeated as many times as desired. This is one of the most popular adult presentation dynamics.

9. Identification with an animal / superhero / super power

Another way of knowing ourselves is through what we identify with. Thus, the group is proposed to look for an animal, superhero, superpower or movie / book / video game character that each member considers represents them or has the same qualities. They will also assess how they are alike, what they would need to get closer to being like him / her / it and why he / she likes it.

Later each one will explain which character they have chosen and the significance of being chosen in a group will be explored.

10. Chain: the gesture of my name

The group goes into a circle or into several subgroups. Each person should think of different gestures that symbolize her name or that are based on the sounds of her letters, to later show it to others. The rest will have to guess. After that, it is possible to make a chain in which each of the members of the group carry out their gesture and that of the previous ones.

Bibliographic references:

• Morales Pérez, A. (1999) Group Dynamics: Exercises and Techniques for all Ages. Madrid: Editions San Pablo.