4-6
‘BREAKING THE ICE’— methods 10 help a new group meet each other,
relax, and start talking
When a group comes together for the first time, some people may already know
each other, but many may not. Often those who are already friends will sit and talk
with each other, but feel uncomfortable about speaking with those they do not yet
know.
Various games or ‘tricks’ can be used to help people get to know one another and
feel comfortable about taking part in a meeting or a class:
1. PAIRING OFF FOR
INTRODUCTIONS
Draw hearts, animals, or other figures
on slips of paper. (Draw one figure for
every 2 people.)
Tear each slip in two.
Crumple the pieces into balls.
Put them into a hat and let each
person pick one.
Now each person tries to
find his ’other half’.
Each pair of people with
matching halves spends
10 or 15 minutes getting to
know each other.
At last the group meets
again, and everyone takes
turns introducing his
partner to the group.