10 Trust Dynamics for Children, Adolescents and Adults

The trust dynamics They are very important to promote cohesion and participation of all members of the group. To start using these dynamics, it is almost essential that the members of the group know each other and that there is a certain connection between them..

We can use these types of dynamics in educational contexts, as well as in business and all kinds of groups. It is important that we adjust the activity to the level and needs of the people who are going to participate.

10 useful trust dynamics

1- Trust

• Objective: increase trust among group members.
• Time needed: between 15 and 30 minutes.
• Group size: pairs will be formed.
• Place: large space where participants can work in pairs.
• Materials needed: none.
• Steps to follow:

1. Group members are divided into pairs. The facilitator will promote that these are not made up of people of a similar physical constitution, but that there are great differences between the members of the couple.
2. Couples stand facing each other. They hold hands and the balls of their feet touch each other.
3. When the pairs are in the required position, the facilitator will give the signal and they should drop backwards, trying to keep the body straight.
4. They will reach a point of balance and, at that moment, they can try to perform movements together and that neither of them loses their balance. These movements can be: stooping, one of them flexing the knees, etc..

• Evaluation: group reflection time in which couples express how they have felt.
• Variation: this dynamic can be done in a large group, forming a circle and holding hands between them. Numbers 1 and 2 will be assigned in a skipped manner and the facilitator will indicate the order so that each one of them is thrown forward or backward..

2- Statues

• Objective: promote trust, cooperation and cohesion among group members.
• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size: pairs will be formed.
• Place: large space where participants can work in pairs.
• Materials needed: bandages to cover the eyes.
• Steps to follow:

1. They will form pairs randomly with the aim that people who do not know each other much will have to work together.
2. One of them will adopt the role of a statue and the other will have to cover his eyes with a blindfold..
3. When they have been covered, the one who acts as a statue will take a position. His partner must touch him in order to guess the position he has taken and, later, imitate him.
4. They will imitate it without their partner removing their position and when they think they have finished, the facilitator will remove the blindfold so that they can compare the result on their own.
5. The exercise is repeated, but changing roles.

• Evaluation: ask couples what role they found easier, if they felt comfortable with physical contact between partners, etc..
• Variation: instead of in pairs, do it in small groups (of 3 or 4 people) and only one act as a statue. That way, others can talk to each other and comment. In this way, communication would be another dimension that would be taken into account in the evaluation..

3- Range of estimates

• Objective: promote trust, cooperation and cohesion among group members.
• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size: medium-sized group, about 20 people.
• Venue: large space where participants can sit in a circle and be comfortable.
• Materials needed: paper and pen for each participant.
• Steps to follow:

1. This dynamic must be carried out when they already know each other or have worked together.
2. The members of the group sit in a circle and each one puts their name on a piece of paper. The paper is passed to the person on the left and they will write you something they like about that person. He folds the paper (so that others do not see what he has written) and passes it back to whoever has to his left and so on, until the paper has gone all the way around.
3. When everyone has received the paper with their name back, they will take a few minutes to read it and they will comment on how they liked the activity, how they felt when reading the comments of their colleagues, etc..

4- Sharing qualities

• Objectives: to create a positive and trusting climate and to reinforce the self-knowledge and knowledge of the peers in the group.
• Time needed: approximately 45 minutes.
• Group size: medium-sized group, about 20 people.
• Place: large space where participants can work in subgroups.
• Materials needed: Several hexagons (one per group) cut into 6 pieces and pens.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group facilitator will divide into subgroups of six people. Each group is given a hexagon that is cut into 6 parts and those pieces are numbered. Each member of the subgroup will choose one of those numbers.
2. When they are already organized, the facilitator will say, at random, a number from 1 to 6. Then, those who have that number will be the “focus of the group” at that moment..
3. The rest of the classmates, for a few minutes, should write positive things about that person in the piece of the hexagon.
4. This same procedure is repeated with each of the group members.

• Evaluation: there will be a group reflection on how they have felt when they received those words from their classmates, if they expected it, etc..

5- Similar

• Objective: to create an adequate work climate in which the members show trust for their colleagues.
• Time needed: approximately 30 minutes.
• Group size: unlimited group size. The higher it is, the more time they will require for the activity.
• Place: comfortable workspace.
• Materials needed: paper and pens (one for each participant).
• Steps to follow:

1. The person who is in charge of directing the activity will distribute the materials to all the members of the group and ask them to think of someone from the same group with whom they share similarities.
2. After a few minutes and everyone has completed the activity, the facilitator will ask for a volunteer to tell which partner seems similar to himself / herself..
3. When you have described the reasons, the rest of the group will give their opinion if they think the opinion is correct and what their reasons are.
4. All members of the group will state their reasons.

6- Animal sounds

• Objectives: promote the knowledge of the different members of the group and create a relaxed atmosphere.
• Time needed: about 20 minutes.
• Group size: the more members there are, the longer the task will take.
• Place: a space where they can sit in a circle (if it is a large group) or, in a row (if there are few people).
• Materials needed: several hexagons (one per group) cut into six pieces and pens.
• Steps to follow:

1. This dynamic is ideal for the first moments of a group, as it will help the members get to know each other and share a laugh together.
2. The facilitator will introduce it as a presentation dynamic and the objective is for each one to learn the names of their classmates.
3. The facilitator will begin by saying his name and imitating the noise of an animal. For example: my name is Sara and "muuuuu".
4. Then the next person will introduce themselves and add the animal sound they like and they will have to repeat that of their previous partner. In this way, the list of names and noises will be increasing..
5. If one person makes a mistake, the whole group must start from the beginning.

• Evaluation: after a few minutes, ask someone what their classmates are called, once they have taken another seat or are doing another task in order to check if they have learned the names of their classmates.

7- Lazarus

• Objective: check the level of trust that exists between colleagues.
• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size: the activity will be developed in pairs.
• Location: large space, preferably outdoors.
• Materials needed: blindfolds.
• Steps to follow:

1. The facilitator will ask people to form pairs, it does not matter with whom.
2. You will then hand out a blindfold for each couple. Therefore, one of the people will need to cover their eyes.
3. The partner who does not have his eyes covered, will act as a guide. To start, it will give you a couple of laps so that you do not know where it is located.
4. The person in charge of the activity will indicate some guidelines that each couple must repeat to their partner blindfolded. For example: "to the right, faster, jog, ..."
5. When a few minutes pass, the roles will be exchanged, but altering the instructions given throughout the exercise.

• Evaluation: it is important that the facilitator is aware of the development of the activity. That is, if people trust their peers. If not, it is important to strengthen peer relationships and identify the elements that fail..

8- Secrets

• Objective: create a climate of trust in which there is empathy between colleagues.
• Time needed: about an hour.
• Group size: no more than 15 people.
• Place: space where people can be seated in a circle.
• Materials needed: pens, paper, and envelopes (one for each participant).
• Steps to follow:

1. The facilitator's words to begin the task will be related to the secrets and intimacies that each of us keep for ourselves..
2. They allow a few minutes for each person to think of one of their best kept secrets and who is willing, take a pencil and paper to write it anonymously..
3. The people who have written it will introduce their secret in an envelope and the pile of envelopes will be removed..
4. Here are a few minutes for you again, individually, to reflect on how you think other people would react when they learned your secret.
5. If the facilitator deems it appropriate and if the group members agree, the secrets found in the envelopes will be read..

• Others: secrets are delicate because they respond to the most intimate thing that a human being has and, therefore, they must be covered in a very respectful way.

9- Letters

• Objective: to improve the relationships between the people who form a group.
• Time needed: 1 hour approximately.
• Group size: medium-sized group, between 15 and 20 people. Subgroups of 3 people will be formed.
• Place: large space where participants can work in subgroups.
• Materials needed: paper and pens.
• Steps to follow:

1. The facilitator will invite people to sit down in groups of three. Once they are seated, ask each of them to take turns talking about a topic that concerns them over the course of 3 minutes. The facilitator must be controlling and warning of the times.
2. When everyone has spoken, they will take two sheets of paper. In each of them, you must write a letter about what you think about that person and what words you want to dedicate to them. This dynamic will work better if the group has trust and a previous work path.
3. After a few minutes and all the people have finished the activity, in groups, they will cover the problem that each one has exposed. Colleagues will talk to that person and give their opinion from respect and trust, while that person listens.
4. When they have exchanged their impressions, they will give each other the letters that they have written to each other. They will allow a few minutes for each one to read them.

• Evaluation: sharing with the rest of the classmates, how they have felt throughout the activity, telling their problem, with the feedback of their classmates, etc..

10- crazy trains

• Objective: to promote trust among colleagues through a dynamic and enjoyable exercise.
• Time needed: about 30 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: subgroups of 4-5 people will be formed.
• Location: large, unobstructed space, preferably outdoors.
• Materials needed: bandages to cover the eyes.
• Steps to follow:

1. The facilitator will convene groups of 4 or 5 people each and will give each group blindfolds to all, except one.
2. Before putting on the bandages, it will be explained that the activity consists of forming a train in which without speaking they must reach a specific place. The person who does not have a blindfold will be the last on the train and must lead the group. A few minutes will be offered to develop a joint work strategy.
3. Once those minutes have passed, they will proceed to cover their eyes and line up. The facilitator will indicate which train (or subgroup) should carry out the activity. The rest of the classmates simply observe without commenting so as not to bias their classmates.
4. When all the trains have carried out the activity, there will be group reflection time to tell what the strategy of each group has been, how they have felt doing the activity, what role seems most difficult, etc..

Other dynamics of interest

Group dynamics for young people.

Assertive communication dynamics.

Motivational dynamics.

Self-esteem dynamics.

Dynamics of emotional intelligence.

Group integration dynamics.

Creativity dynamics.

Leadership dynamics.

Dynamics of conflict resolution.

Stock dynamics.

Presentation dynamics.

Teamwork dynamics.

References

1. Gerza group dynamics.
2. Trust dynamics. Minyons Scout and Guides of Catalonia.
3. Free time games: dynamics and activities.
4. Games and group dynamics - Trust.