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Strengthening Confidence

Games of Trust: find the best games for your group
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

“Nothing can strengthen people more than the trust that he is given.”
(Paul Claudel, was a French writer, poet and diplomat, 1868-1955)

Recently I received a request from a teacher who looked for good confidence games for his class to strengthen trust each other.

On the website are enough games that would be suitable.

But picking the right games depends on the class (or youth group). Unfortunately, I can’t give a “one fits all” answer here as it all depends on the group, which I needed to know a bit better.

Obviously, every teacher or youth worker is asked here, to give each game a good thought and weigh up if it suits the occasion or circumstances of his group.

The issue of trust, as a subject for a lesson, or, for example, in the holiday camp, as a play- and theme night only makes sense when the school class or youth groups talks about it afterwards. Another option would be, to have the discussion first, then come the games and afterwards another discussion, followed by feedback.

Which questions can be discussed?

What game I liked? What was bad? And why?
Could I trust the other?
Was it hard for me?
Why can I not trust someone else?
What are the prerequisites for confidence?
What promotes/destroys trust?
As a class what can we do to strengthen the individual’s but also the group trust?
Etc.

The quote of Paul Claudel “Nothing can strengthen people more than the trust that he is given” is well suited for a discussion to bring the point “trust, an essential survival criterion for social coexistence”, across.

What would be the consequences if all trust was destroyed?

Strengthening Confidence Kids
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

Insecurity, fear
Lack of self-confidence
Withdrawal, loneliness, depression
Exclusion, bullying

What are the consequences if there is trust?

Motivation
Joy
The feeling of being accepted, of belonging, and community
Security
Strengthened self-confidence
Openness

A theme night on "trust" in all its facets is always worthwhile. And maybe everyone (incl. teacher, group leader, etc.) must ask themselves, where they are at when it comes to trusting other people. What are recent (positive and negative) experiences?

Besides the above links you can find more appropriate and interesting games at these pages: