Activity 3.1.5 The Toy Shop

Purpose

To relate the world of work to the world of play

Materials

Large sheets of flipchart paper

Time

1–2 hrs

Method

1. This is a visualization activity that facilitators will have to carefully direct. Ask participants to close their eyes and listen very carefully. Facilitators can now recite the following instructions. Note: Pause about three to five seconds between each instruction.
   • Imagine you are in the largest toy shop ever built. It is so huge, that every toy imaginable is in there.
   • Really look around…. Now, go to the one toy that you feel drawn to. You can only have one toy.
   • When you have your toy, hold it in your hands. Look at its shape and colour.
   • Feel the texture. Is it hot or cold, rough or smooth? What does it feel like?
   • What does it do?
   • What does it need to make it work?
2. Instruct participants that when they have finished completely seeing and examining this toy, draw it in the centre on a piece of flipchart paper and write down the name of their toy.
3. Now, ask them to write down all the attributes and qualities that this toy has. Write the colours, the textures, the smells, etc.
4. Next, write down words and phrases describing what this toy needs to work well.
5. Following that, participants can now write down why this toy makes them happy.
6. Ask participants to write down the phrases or words that jump out. What phrases can be related to work situations, e.g., “stay on track”, if they imagined a train; “put pieces together”, if it is a puzzle-type of toy, etc.?
7. Guide a discussion to help participants discover how the words they used to describe this toy can fit into the work they do now, or their ideal job.