Heart Puzzle
Suggested Group(s): Middle/Teen
Purpose: To encourage the group members to engage each other to work together to solve the puzzle
Task/need: Group building
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Ask, "When you experience a challenge, can you always do it yourself, or is it sometimes better to work with the assistance of others?"
- Explain that together, the group will take on the challenge of putting the puzzle together and deciding what the shape is.
Materials:
- A large heart puzzle made of posterboard (Check with Caring Place staff to locate a copy, or make your own with 6 or 7 pieces.)
Description: This activity works well with smaller groups. Mix the pieces and place in the middle of the table for the group to work together to properly arrange and form a heart. Encourage all members of the group to assist each other to solve the puzzle.
To vary the activity, you may want to add the rule that members may not talk while working on the puzzle, but need to communicate in other ways. One advantage to this approach is that quieter children may have a greater opportunity to participate without having to talk over other group members.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Ask the group members about the highs and lows in solving the puzzle and working as a group. What felt good? What was frustrating?
Suggestions: Use the metaphor of the heart in pieces to talk about how they feel after loss. The group may want to decorate the heart with each person taking a piece and then putting the decorated pieces back together.
