Solving problems is an essential skill for everyday life. Activities focused on problem-solving will require participants to experience empathy in order to understand different points of view and at the same time voice their own opinions in a respectful manner. In addition, participants will better develop their own critical thinking skills by learning to reflect, analyze and synthesize information that will be used to develop solutions. Finally, problem-solving activities will be done both independently and in groups to help participants learn the value of teamwork and individual work in various situations.
Participants will use pictures to help them discover or identify their interests, values, and priorities. The participants will be encouraged to interpret for themselves and communicate to others how the collages represent their perspectives. It is important for facilitators to create a safe environment to encourage participants to communicate their discoveries and reflections. Collage activities require numerous magazines to be available. To ensure a good selection and a large quantity, ask participants to bring in old magazines at least one month before doing the activities. Asking participants to do this helps to ensure they will be able to find pictures that best represent them.
Empathy is often gained through role play scenarios. Role playing gives participants a chance to put themselves in a role that is different from their own and experience life from a different perspective. The role play activities will help participants to understand how others might react or feel, overcome shyness, re-evaluate their perspectives, and be placed in authoritative positions. One of the key ways participants will use role playing is by engaging in debates that focus on personal and general values.
Story telling is a popular way to get participants to critically examine their perspectives and their lives in a non-threatening way. Although many common folk tales and fables contain morals or situations that participants can relate to and understand, they don’t necessarily encourage readers to provide their own interpretation or solve a problem. It’s helpful to use stories similar to the activities in VOICE that contain situations that leave the outcome up to the participant. Another way to involve participants more fully is to have them act out the scenes in a story, and/or have them make up their own story using a fictitious character with a real problem.
Visualization or guided imagery is a process of using imagination to form pictures in your mind. This type of activity can assist with finding solutions to problems and impresses upon the participant to expand their perceptions. Remember, it is important for all participants to feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings. If a participant does not wish to take part in a visualization activity, allow this person to observe and become an assistant to the facilitator. If there are participants who are familiar with this type of activity, allow them to share their experience with the rest of the group.