Compliment Circle



Objective(s) & Context

1. Reflect on their own strengths and the strengths of others and share them in discussion with

the group.

2. Strengthen positive self-perceptions, self-esteem, and body-image.

3. Increase awareness and build social support and self-efficacy.

 

Girls may encounter many challenges to their own positive self-perceptions, self-esteem, and body-image from the media, friends, family, and other social environments. This workshop supports girls to reflect on their own strengths and the strengths of others. In locating strengths and assets among girls, this workshop contributes to increasing awareness of the issue of self-esteem, and contributes to building social support and self-efficacy among girls.

 

Duration

1½ hours

This may vary depending on group size

 

Group Size

10 or more

 

Age Group

7 +

 

Skills

Communication, listening, social skills

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Large group

 

Materials

None

 

Facilitation Tips

  • Ensure that the group is a safer space, where trust has developed between girls.

  • It is important to recognize that this activity can create vulnerability for both the receiver and giver. As the girls put themselves out there, both in creating genuine compliment, and trusting they can receive and accept a compliment.

  • If there is intimidation of bullying in the group, you may want to consider how this could affect this activity taking place and the effects it may have. For example, using the space to hurt one another rather than compliment.

  • Each participant should be in the position of “Receiver” for about 5 minutes.

  • If there are more than 10 participants, divide them into smaller groups of up to 10 persons.

 

Popular Education Prompts

  • This activity is grounded in the experiences of girls and their perceptions of what is a compliment. Compliments are culturally constructed (a value in a culture). It may positively reinforce or adapt to the experiences of the girls, if it is genuine and grounded in their own experiences.

  • This activity could be used in the context of a (fan)‘zine. For example, writing down the compliments… “Here’s what we like about each other,” “Positive things girls have to say about each other,” etc.

  • This activity could also encourage girls to write a compliment in a letter, through a phone call or as an email to someone outside of the group.

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

  1. Ask the group to form a circle.

  2. Tell the participants that they are about to participate in a Compliment Circle.

  3. Ask a participant to volunteer to be the first “Receiver” – the one to be admired and complimented.

  4. Explain that in the Compliment Circle, one by one, each participant will go around and tell the Receiver what they admire and respect about them.

  5. This will continue until everyone in the circle has been the Receiver.

 

Debrief

Questions to ask the group:

• How did you feel as the Receiver before you were given feedback from the other participants?

• How did you feel as the Receiver after you were admired and given compliments?

• How did it feel to think about and admire someone else?

• How did it feel let them know what you admire about them?

• How does personal strength encourage you to take action?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • Communicating with each other

  • More aware of the power of positive self-perceptions

  • Able to identify positive attributes in themselves and others

 

Source: The Girl’s Circle: www.girlscircle.com. Secondary Source: The Gender Specific Resource Manual: www.ncdjjdp.org/community_programs/gsm/selfesteem/compliment.html