Activity 1: Knots
Begin by playing the old-fashioned game Knots. For this game you need more than two children. The children make a circle then each child reaches in their right hand and grabs the hand of another child. They then reach in their left hand and grab a hand of another child different from the first. The objective is to unknot themselves. They may not let go. It is best not to give them much further instruction and see what unfolds. You will likely see tugging, falling, giggling and irritation. You may also see success.
After they have attempted the game, say, “I see that you may need some help with this game. I will tell you a story.” This story should be told, face-to-face, heart-to-heart, not read, not recited from memory, but remembered and retold as stories always have been among people (see my post about Storytelling with Children).
Activity 2: Tell a story of Oneness
Although there are many stories to choose from, I suggest the Jātaka Tale, the Quarrelsome Quails. The Jātaka Tales are from ancient India and tell stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. They are thought to be the oldest Buddhist literature dating to 4th century BCE. Because of this they have been told and retold many times and have had a chance to move into other cultures. You likely will find many of them familiar.
When you have finished telling the story, play knots again. This time it is OK to coach a little, saying, for example, “be gentle, be kind, be wise.” You may find, as I did, that this time they very easily unknot themselves and make a circle, working as One.
Activity 3: More team building games
For more ideas using games to work as One for kids, including more instructions about the game Knots, see The National Braille Press website.
Image credits
Hands together- Anemone123
Birds in flight – Elstef
