10 presentation dynamics for children and adult groups.

Several ways to create a situation in which to present to a group.

Most of us are constantly are constantly meeting new people.. With most people we usually establish a superficial, rather casual contact. But sometimes we really want to get to know someone, especially when it 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 as a child. And getting to know someone from scratch can be more difficult than it seems, especially for those with a shy nature.

To cope with this situation, it can be useful to carry out different introduction dynamics, such as the ones as the ones we are going to mention along the following lines.

What is a dynamic of presentation?

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

Dynamics are understood as a set of resources, strategies, methods and techniques used with the purpose of achieving a certain objective, generally provoking some kind of movement or action on the part of one or several agents.

As far as presentation dynamics are concerned, we are talking about different methods designed to facilitate contact with the audience. different methods designed to facilitate an initial contact and interaction among the members of a group, so that some kind of movement or action by one or more agents can be established.In this way, deeper bonds can be established later on or there is recognition between individuals. In general, they are very useful for everyone, although they are especially useful for those with greater shyness or difficulty in establishing an initial contact.

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

It is important to bear in mind that the effectiveness of this resource 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 relation of the dynamics in question with the objectives to be achieved, the expertise of those who implement it or the adequacy of it to the capacities, motivations and even the personality of those who are going to carry it out.

Likewise, it may seem that presentation dynamics are typical of children's contexts. But while it is true that are especially useful and are widely used in the world of education, as well as among adults and even the elderly.In the world of education, they 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 can also be used at a therapeutic level to train social skills. It can even be used for cognitive stimulation, serving to promote immediate or even more long-term memory.

Examples of dynamics to introduce yourself

The following are ten simple exercises that can be used in a variety of contexts.

1. Name chain

Probably the simplest exercise is based on forming a circle. Each participant will say his or her name and its basic characteristics before moving on to the next. before moving on to the next. Once this is done, each person will take turns saying the name of each member of the group. You can do it faster and faster or change direction from time to time to do it differently.

2. Passing the ball

A simple but effective game. The participants should form a circle, and at first each member of the group, in turn, tells the others his or her name. After that, a ball is taken and the members of the group must pass it to each other. The person who receives the ball must say the name of the person who passed it to him/her before throwing it to another person, who must do the same. to another person, who must do the same. It is not necessary to follow an order in the passes, and it can be random as long as all the participants are integrated.

If you want to add a competitive component or as a way to finish 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. However, this last paragraph should only be applied in a recreational context, and is not recommended for certain sectors of the population.

3. Web of wool

A similar dynamic to the previous one. In this case, a ball of wool is available that will be unraveled as it is passed between the members of the group.. It is one of the most used presentation dynamics for children.

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

4. Introducing each other

All participants are put into groups of two. They will introduce themselves by telling each other their basic data and some identifying or unexpected detail, or some particular taste or dream.. Afterwards, the whole group will meet and each member of each pair will introduce the other.

5. Presentation through vignettes

This is a slightly different way of introducing oneself, in which each member of the group will draw on a sheet of paper four vignettes that represent identifying aspects of the person or recent experiences. After that, they will get into pairs and each one will explain to the other what they have drawn and why it represents them..

6. Finding a partner

This dynamic is based on choosing well-known phrases, sayings or 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 phrase or drawing that is missing.

7. The card game

Each member of the group receives a card and a safety pin. On 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.

After this, time is allowed for the participants to walk around the room. Finally, they will meet as a group and formally introduce themselves. An attempt will be made for the rest to remember the characteristics and/or names of the others, and a moderator will ask each one for the characteristics of a colleague.

8. The dice

A die of relatively large proportions will be created beforehand, On each face an interesting aspect that can be used to introduce oneself will be placed.. For example "my main motivation is...", "I want to work in...", "my favorite dish is...". Afterwards, each member of the group will roll the dice and must give an answer to the phrase that comes up. This is repeated as many times as desired. This is one of the most popular presentation dynamics for adults.

9. Identification with an animal/superhero/superpower

Another way to get to know each other is through what we identify with. Thus, the group is asked to find an animal, superhero, superpower or movie/book/video game character that each member considers represents him/her or has the same qualities as him/her. They will also evaluate how they are similar, what they would need to get closer to being like him/her and why they like him/her.

Afterwards, each member will explain which character he/she has chosen and the significance of the character will be explored. and the significance of the chosen character will be explored as a group.

10. Chain: the gesture of my name

The group gets in a circle or in several subgroups. Each person will have to think of different gestures that symbolize his or her name or that are based on the sounds of his or her letters, and then show it to the others. The rest will have to guess it. After that, it is possible to make a chain in which each member of the group makes his or her own gesture and that of the previous ones.

Bibliographical references:

• Morales Pérez, A. (1999) Dinámicas de Grupo: Ejercicios y Técnicas para todas las Edades. Madrid: Ediciones San Pablo.