Group Activities: Ice Breakers to Help People Get to Know Each Other

Whenever people are forced to work together in a group situation, tension arises. The source of the tension can be due to personality conflicts, personal problems, self-doubt, or the fact that the group members do not know each other. Ice breakers are often use to help acknowledge these tensions while allowing the group to function appropriately. Below are listed a few different ice breakers that can help groups get to know each other a little better. While they will be most appropriate for groups who do not know each other well, you may find that these ice breakers can be used just as effectively on groups who have been working together for a long time.

ICE BREAKER #1 COMPLETED THOUGHT
This exercise helps the participants get acquainted with others by sharing their thoughts about certain issues. This structured experience is most appropriate for educational programs or sessions that emphasize personal interaction among group members. This ice breaker is effective at any time during the learning program.

The group leader begins by stating this learning experience is designed to explore the particpants' thought processes. After giving each participant a pencil and a piece of paper, the trainer explains that the group members will be listening to a serious of incomplete statements. The participants will be writing down the statement and then, using their own words, completing the thought. For example: "If I could be anyone, I would be ______________."

The group leader then reads the first incomplete sentence to the group. After giving the group members one minute to copy down and complete the thought, the trainer proceeds to the second statements and so on until all 10 statements have been completed.

When the participants have finished, the trainer rereads the statements one at a time and asks each group member to share his or her responses with the group. At any time, the group members should be allowed to discuss or question the reasons behind any given answer.

The trainer should conclude the group activity by discussing the similarities and differences among the group members responses.