3.1.8. Sort your Birth dates

3.1.8. Type Sort your Birth-dates!

Ice breaker, energiser team-building

Objectives

Support participants in getting to know each other’s names and feeling more comfortable with the group; Helps practice non-verbal communication and coordination in order to complete the challenge; Observe the difficulties of gathering accurate information in limited environments.

Duration Group size Materials

10-15min 15-20 participants

Description

Debriefing & Reflection

Learning outcomes

Participants are asked to line themselves up according to their date of birth (not year). For example, someone born on April 26th would be closer to the front than someone born on September 3rd. The rules for this activity are: 1) They should not speak; 2) Pen and paper cannot be used; 3) Phones, diaries cannot be used. The facilitators encourage participants to use their initiative. What difficulties did you face? Do we find any of these difficulties in our life? Do we find similar issues when we are researching for information? Social and civic competences: Improving non-verbal skills, respect and patience in communication.

Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship: Taking action to lead and organise fellow participants is essential.

Learning to learn: The debriefing supports individual and collective learning process

Additional comments

Resources

As it is an introductory activity, it is best to ensure that there is already a friendly environment established between participants so they are motivated to work together. Participants need to remember the rules and manage to find a way of communication by using body language.