10 CONFIDENCE DYNAMICS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS - GEOGRAFÍA

The dynamics of trust are very important to promote cohesion and the 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 between 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:

Group members divide 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.
Couples stand facing each other. They hold hands and the tips of the feet touch each other.
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.
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: bending over, 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. The 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: to 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:

Pairs will be formed randomly with the aim that people who do not know each other very well have to work together.
One of them will adopt the role of a statue and the other will have to cover his eyes with a blindfold.
When they are covered, the one who acts as a statue will take a stand. Her partner must touch her in order to guess the position she has taken and, later, imitate her.
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 themselves.
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 (3 or 4 people) with only one acting 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: to promote trust, cooperation and cohesion among group members.
Time needed: about 30 minutes.
Group size: medium-sized group, about 20 people.
Venue: a large space where participants can sit in a circle and be comfortable.
Materials needed: paper and pen for each participant.
Steps to follow:

This dynamic should be done when you already know each other or have worked together.
The group members 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. She folds the paper (so that the others do not see what she has written) and passes it to whoever is on her left and so on, until the paper has gone all the way around.
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 found the activity, how they have felt 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 group's colleagues.
Time required: approximately 45 minutes.
Group size: medium-sized group, about 20 people.
Place: wide space in which participants can work in subgroups.
Materials needed: Several hexagons (one per group) cut into 6 pieces and pens.
Steps to follow:

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.
When they are organized, the facilitator will randomly say a number from 1 to 6. Then, those who have that number will be the “focus of the group” at that time.
The rest of the classmates, for a few minutes, should write positive things about that person on the piece of the hexagon.
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:

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.
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.
When you have described the reasons, the rest of the group will give their opinion as to whether they think the opinion is correct and what their reasons are.
All the 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 more time the task will take.
Place: a space in which 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:

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.
The facilitator will introduce it as a presentation dynamic and the objective is for each one to learn the names of their classmates.
The facilitator will begin by saying his name and imitating the noise of an animal. For example: my name is Sara and "mouuuu".
Then the next person will introduce themselves and add the animal sound they like and have to repeat that of their previous partner. In this way, the list of names and noises will increase.
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 the names of their classmates have been learned.

7- Lazarus

Objective: to 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: bandages to cover the eyes.
Steps to follow:

The facilitator will ask people to form pairs, it does not matter with whom.
He will then hand out a blindfold for each pair. Therefore, one of the people will need to cover their eyes.
The partner who does not have his eyes covered will act as a guide. To begin, it will give it a couple of laps so that it does not know where it is located.
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,…"
When a few minutes pass, the roles will be exchanged, but altering the instructions that are 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: to create a climate of trust in which there is empathy between colleagues.
Time required: approximately one hour.
Group size: no more than 15 people.
Place: space in which people can be seated in a circle.
Materials needed: pens, sheets and envelopes (one for each participant).
Steps to follow:

The facilitator's words to begin the task will be related to the secrets and intimacies that each of us keep for ourselves.
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.
The people who have written it will introduce their secret in an envelope and the pile of envelopes will be removed.
Here are a few minutes for you again, individually, to reflect on how you think other people would react to learning your secret.
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 what is most intimate 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: approximately 1 hour.
Group size: medium-sized group, between 15 and 20 people. Subgroups of 3 people will be formed.
Place: wide space in which participants can work in subgroups.
Materials needed: papers and pens.
Steps to follow:

The facilitator will invite people to sit in groups of three. Once they are seated, ask that each of them take turns talking about a topic that concerns them over the course of 3 minutes. The facilitator must be controlling and advising of the times.
When everyone has spoken, take two pages. 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.
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.
When they have exchanged their impressions, they will give each other the letters they have written. 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 from their classmates, etc.

10- crazy trains

Objective: to promote trust among colleagues through a dynamic and enjoyable exercise.
Time required: approximately 30 minutes.
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:

The facilitator will convene groups of 4 or 5 people each and will give each group blindfolds to all, except one.
Before putting on the bandages, it will be explained that the activity consists of forming a train in which without speaking they must arrive at 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.
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.
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 felt doing the activity, what role seems most difficult, etc.

Other dynamics of interest

Group dynamics for young people.

Assertive communication dynamics.

Motivational dynamics.

Dynamics of self-esteem.

Dynamics of emotional intelligence.

Group integration dynamics.

Dynamics of creativity.

Leadership dynamics.

Dynamics of conflict resolution.

Dynamics of values.

Presentation dynamics.

Teamwork dynamics.

References

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

10 CONFIDENCE DYNAMICS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS - GEOGRAFÍA - 2025