Name Stories



Objective(s) and Context

  1. Learn group member’s names and have fun

 

Duration

Depends on the number of participants; approximately 2 minutes per participant

10 participants: 20 minutes

20 participants: 40 minutes

 

Group Size

In pairs and large group

 

Age Group

7 +

 

Skills

Sharing, Communication and listening skills

 

Format(s) and Technique(s)

Large group

 

Materials

None

 

Facilitation Tips

  • This exercise can be combined with creative drawing, written or spoken word. Each participant introduces their partner through the medium of their choice. Additional time and creative materials would be needed to allow for this.

 

Popular Education Prompts

  • Getting to know each other is an important building block for moving forward as a group.

  • Having a chance to play and have fun together cannot be underestimated in building a strong group dynamic.

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

  1. Ask the group to divide into pairs or small groups and sit in a circle.

  2. Instruct participants to tell their partner why they have their name and its meaning. Another way to ask this is to ask participants to tell their partners the story of their name.

  3. Let participants know that they will be invited to introduce their partner to the large group when the group comes back together.

  4. Invite each participant to introduce her partner to the large group.

 

Debrief

  • Did we learn anything new about other people in the group?

  • What were the impressions of the workshop?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • Talking and laughing with the group

  • Sharing more about themselves with the group

 

Source: Nisha Sajnani, Creative Alternatives: www.creative-alternatives.ca