Hobbies And Interests
The Purpose of Women's Group Games
At the start of a women's group meeting, playing a game will relax attendees. An icebreaker game, also called a warm-up game, allows women to loosen up and have fun while getting them in the mood to participate. It is also a casual and relaxed means for new group members to meet existing members, or for a newly formed group's members to build bonds with each other. A game will also bring the women together, energized and focused on their common goal.
Games' Effects
Playing a game not only opens up the lines of communication in a women's group, but the women's group itself is a powerful means of support, healing, friendship and camaraderie. The group of women provides a safe and non-judgmental forum to express their emotions, deal with those emotions, and heal. If not for an icebreaker game, some women would not speak up during the group meeting. Games played at the start of a meeting or group event make negative and nervous feelings dissipate so attendees feel comfortable.
Facing Resistance in Games
Sometimes, group members may resist playing games. There is no way to predict resistance, but there are actions to reduce the possibility of resistance. Stanley Pollack and Mary Fusoni, authors of "Moving Beyond Icebreakers," recommend a casual and comfortable meeting place. The more comfortable the setting is, the fewer reasons a woman would have to resist the game. Pollack and Fusoni suggest that the group facilitator or leader convey confidence, yet communicate in a relaxed manner to reduce the possibility of resistance to game playing.
Examples of Women's Group Games
Most women carry a purse or bag. Have each woman select one item from their purse that has personal significance. Each woman introduces herself, shows the rest of the group her item, and explains why it is important to her. Alternatively, have the women sit in a circle. Each woman chooses an adjective that matches her personality and starts with the same letter as her first name. For example, made-up names can include Sassy Sally, Tiny Tina or Happy Helen. The first woman states her new name. The next woman repeats the first woman's name and then says her own name. The third woman must repeat the prior two names and then add her own. This continues around the room until every woman has introduced herself and stated the names of all the other women correctly.