13 GROUP INTEGRATION DYNAMICS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS - ECONOMÍA - 2025

The dynamics of group integration are techniques that can be used with children and adolescents preescolar- - from schools and colleges, and youth and adult teams from universities and companies.

Each integration technique contains a lesson to reflect on. People who participate in these types of dynamics and workshops end up learning something new, either from themselves, from their colleagues or some theoretical knowledge.

In addition, the dynamics promote the creation of a fun and playful environment, which encourages people to participate, socialize, in addition to taking an active role during the activity. Whether they are children or adults, they can see it as a game with which they will also learn.

It is important that, when we are going to apply a group integration activity, we adapt it to the group with which we are going to work and that we take into account whether the objective of the activity corresponds to the objectives proposed by the group.

Of course, they will not be the same objectives with primary groups, as with secondary groups or with adults in a work environment.

Dynamics and techniques to promote group integration

1- Crown the top

• Goals:

1. Promote group integration.
2. Reinforce knowledge about a specific topic.

• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size : size of a medium-large group. Between 30 and 40 people.
• Place: wide space in which participants can work in subgroups.
• Materials needed: blackboard and chalk (or marker), crowns, list of questions on the topic you want to work on.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group facilitator divides the large group into 4 subgroups. Ideally, the members should be distributed randomly.
2. It is explained to them that a dynamic (or contest) is going to be held in which the theoretical contents of something they have studied will be reinforced. For example, of a subject, if we are in a school context.
3. Each subgroup chooses a color (red, blue, green, and yellow). Ladders are drawn on the blackboard (as many as you want, if we want the game to last longer, longer and if not, it is reduced) and at the end of these, a top that will crown the winning subgroup.
4. Questions are asked that the groups must answer, respecting each other's turn to speak. Every time a group gets an answer right, it goes up one step. The group that reaches the top first wins the game.

2- Guess the character

• Goals:

1. Promote the integration of the group through a small contest.
2. Learn more about the characters that appear.

• Time needed: about 20 minutes.
• Group size: small or medium, between 10 and 20 people.
• Venue: a large space where participants can sit in a circle.
• Materials needed: list of characters, they can be famous or the participants of the activity themselves. The names will each be written on a different piece of paper. They can be kept in a small bag or sack.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group members sit in a circle and the person who leads the activity explains that they are going to play role-playing.
2. A volunteer is requested. The facilitator will approach him with the bag containing all the names. He will take one at random (if it is himself, he will return it and take another). Your classmates will ask questions that can only be answered with a YES or NO.
3. When someone thinks they are sure of who they are, they will say that they want to solve. If she succeeds, she will play a new character and if not, it continues until someone solves it.

• Notes: it is very important to respect the partner's turn to speak.

3- Trust in the team

• Goals:

1. Assess the level of trust between group members.
2. Detect which elements interfere with the trust of the group.

• Time required: about 60 minutes.
• Place: wide space in which participants can be in a circle, it can be outdoors.
• Materials needed: If you want, you can use bandages to cover the eyes.
• Steps to follow:

1. People are asked to stand up in a circle.
2. One person stands in the center, feet together and closing the eyes (a bandage can be applied). Then, you are asked to stand back. The companions must position themselves to hold him so that he does not fall to the ground.
3. When he has lost his balance, he stands up. So note that your balance depends on the group.
4. All members of the group go through the activity.
5. When they have finished, there is a time for reflection in which each one can express how they have felt throughout the activity and the level of trust between the group members is analyzed.

• Note: the role of the facilitator is very important, since they will have to analyze if there are problems in the group or in any of the members and they will have to address them in the discussion or individually afterwards.

4- Isolation and integration

• Goals:

1. Make the crisis felt, personally and in a group, when there is a situation of isolation.
2. Analyze what feelings appear when we find ourselves in a situation of integration.
3. Promote integration between group members.

• Time needed: 40 minutes, approximately.
• Place: wide space in which participants can form a circle, it can be outdoors.
• Steps to follow:

1. The person who energizes the activity asks the participants to stand up in a circle. She begins to talk to them about the importance of teamwork and that they have to be cohesive to achieve the objectives that they propose.
2. He randomly takes a person and draws them to the center of the circle. He asks her not to move her body and to let him put her in the position to adopt. It will put you, facing the wall, with your legs half open and your arms crossed.
3. She asks him how he feels about the group. Then he asks the group how they perceive their partner.
4. The person looks at his companions and the question is repeated. First him and then his companions. After this, the person returns to their place within the circle.
5. The facilitator asks the group members to hold hands very tightly and close their eyes. You can tell him a story or induce a relaxation technique.
6. At random, the facilitator chooses the hands of two companions who are holding each other and exerts pressure on them, downwards.
7. Finally, he asks them to stand back.

• Discussion: at the end of the activity, the participants take a seat and proceed to a time of reflection in which it is recommended that they analyze the following elements:

- A person of great value who is isolated, is not fully realized. The group contributes to sociability and personal growth can be brought about by contact with others.

- Analyze if there is any element or isolation crisis.

-Analyze how vulnerability affects a group that is not cohesive.

-Analyze the confidence that gives the support of the group at the individual level.

5- The pressure of the environment

• Objective: to show how people are not indifferent to situations of criticism or praise. Also, before moments of success and failure.
• Time required: about 60 minutes.
• Venue: a large space where participants can work in two subgroups.
• Materials needed: two sets of materials with which constructions can be made.
• Steps to follow:

1. First, two people are asked to leave the room to explain the activity to their colleagues.
2. Two groups will be formed, so that the people who are outside, each of them will belong to a subgroup. The idea is that while they are sitting with their back turned, they will build a figure with the pieces and the help of their classmates.
3. Each of the teams will receive an instruction. In subgroup A that will help and motivate her partner during construction and subgroup B that will act in the opposite way, demotivating, showing indifference and even discouraging her partner.
4. The two people who are outside are asked to enter and it is explained that, by subgroups, they must make a figure and that they have the support of their peers.

• Reflection: once the established time has passed, a full group discussion is formed in which each member expresses how they have felt throughout the activity. The classmates will be told the orders that had been given to the members of the subgroups. It will analyze how it affects, at an individual level and when executing a task, the mood that exists among colleagues.

6- A special person

• Goals:

1. Promote that group members get to know each other better.
2. Meet new people.

• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size:
• Place: wide space in which participants can work in subgroups.
• Materials needed: none in particular.
• Steps to follow:

1. The person who energizes the activity asks the members to think of someone they admire, it may already be someone famous or someone unknown to the rest, such as a relative or friend. They are encouraged to be original and think of someone their peers may not know.
2. They are allowed a few minutes to think about that person and put their ideas in order. If they wish, they can take a pen and paper to draw an outline.
3. Then, in subgroups, one by one you will introduce the person you have chosen. Your colleagues may ask you questions to find out more details.
4. Each subgroup chooses a person (or two) and they go out to expose it to all the companions.

• Reflection: it is not important to be famous, anyone anonymous may have done extraordinary things and it is likely that they are not known by many people.
• Variation: if the group size is small, no subgroups are formed and the characters are introduced to all the companions.

7- Unruly circle

• Goals:

1. Create a relaxed and enjoyable time among the participants.
2. Encourage the knowledge of group members.

• Time needed: about 15 minutes.
• Place: large space in which participants sit in subgroups.
• Materials needed: none in particular.
• Steps to follow:

1. This dynamic can be used as a warm-up for a work session. The facilitator asks the people to stand or sit in a circle.
2. Explain that there are three orders: "Orange", "Banana" and "Circle". The facilitator stands in the center of the circle and points to one of the companions, saying one of these three orders.
3. If it is "Orange", the person must say the name of their partner sitting on the left. If it is "Banana" that of his partner on the right. Finally, if it is a “circle”, all the members of the group must change places.
4. The facilitator controls the time of the activity and involves all the members of the group in the activity.

8- Someone like me

• Goals:

1. Favor the integration of group members.
2. Promote an environment in which people get to know each other better.
3. Meet colleagues with tastes similar to your own.

• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Place: large space in which participants can move freely.
• Materials needed: paper and pen for each participant.
• Steps to follow:

1. This dynamic can be used in the first moments of a group, so that people will have time to get to know each other.
2. The facilitator asks them to write down a series of data on a piece of paper. As they can be, for example: Initial of the first surname, profession, last concert you have attended, favorite chocolate brand, etc. These questions are tailored based on the age and interests of the group members.

1. They are allowed a few minutes for each one to answer individually.
2. Next, they should look for colleagues who have answered the same or similarly to the items. They cannot repeat a partner in different items. It's about talking to the more people the better.
3. After the set time has passed, the answers will be checked. If the group size is small, they will do it one by one and if not, the activity leader will ask them at random.

9- Inauguration dance

• Goals:

1. Meet colleagues with tastes similar to your own.
2. Create a pleasant and pleasant moment between colleagues.
3. Lose shame.

• Time needed: about 20 minutes.
• Place: large space in which participants can move.
• Materials needed: paper, pen and safety pin. Also, a computer to play music (radio, computer, mobile,…).
• Steps to follow:

1. The facilitator asks a question. For example: What do you like most about your job? The level of the question should be consistent with the age of the group members and the context in which the activity is carried out.
2. Each person will answer that question by writing their answer on a piece of paper.
3. Your answer will be hung on the chest thanks to a safety pin.
4. When all the people have answered, they will stand up and the person who leads the activity will explain that the music is going to start playing and they must look for partners with whom the answer matches or is similar and they must dance together.
5. While the music is playing, time is allowed for couples or groups to form. The facilitator will control the time to cut the music and there will be a short debate in which each one explains their answer and how they have felt doing the activity.
6. If you want, it can be repeated with another new question.

10- We walk together

• Goals:

1. Favor the integration of the group.
2. Share feelings and experiences with colleagues.

• Time needed: about 40 minutes.
• Group size: maximum 15 people.
• Place: wide space, without furniture in between.
• Materials needed: continuous paper, a die and markers.
• Steps to follow:

1. A piece of continuous paper is spread out on the floor or on a large table. The members of the group should be accommodated around it.
2. Each one will take an object that serves as a token, to identify themselves in the game. All the cards are put on the paper and a circle is drawn around them, as a starting box.
3. A person, at random or by drawing lots, rolls the die and draws as many boxes as there are numbers on the die. He places his card there and he must propose a short test or ask a question that the rest of the classmates must answer. Next to the box, a keyword is written that recalls the content of the question or test.
4. Then roll the next partner and repeat the operation. As the game progresses, if the members of the group pass through previous squares, they must answer the previous tests and if they are new squares, create new activities.
5. The game ends when there is no more continuous paper or the members wish to move on to another activity.

11- Express solution

• Goals:

1. Favor the integration of the group.
2. Present yourself in society.

• Time needed: Between 30 and 45 seconds per participant.
• Group size: It is recommended that a maximum of 25 people, but it can be more.
• Place: enough space for the people who carry out the dynamics to stand in a circle.
• Materials needed: a ball of wool or anything that does the same function.
• Steps to follow:

1. The members and the moderator stand in a circle.
2. The moderator takes the floor, who explains that each person must introduce themselves in a short time and, when finished, they must pass the ball of yarn to another person in the circle so that they introduce themselves. You don't have to follow any order, just pass it on to the person who catches your eye.
3. The moderator begins by introducing himself and passes the ball to another member. Then this to another and so on until the last one is presented. Each one will say their name, age and three things they like.
4. Later, the last one will have to remember the name and one of the three things that he said that the penultimate one liked. The penultimate will do the same with the penultimate and so on until the ball returns to the moderator.

12- The ball of wool

• Goals:

1. Favor the integration of the group.
2. Breaking the ice between people who do not know each other.
3. Discover skills of each individual.

• Time needed: about 30 minutes.
• Group size: maximum 5 people.
• Place: enough space for 5 people to cooperate.
• Materials needed: a ball of wool.
• Steps to follow:

1. A moderator assigns the group a problem that they have to solve in 30 minutes. For example: If you were coordinators of a company, how would you resolve the conflict between two co-workers who aspire to a promotion?
2. Members should discuss the matter, knowing that there is not time for much deliberation. Throughout the 30 minutes it will be possible to observe the abilities and sensitivity of each one in this matter. Some will be more active, some will be stubborn, some will be blocked, etc.
3. They will have to agree and also choose a spokesperson.
4. The spokesperson will present in front of everyone the agreement they have reached to solve the problem raised by the moderator.
5. Finally, the moderator will open question time in case anyone is interested in knowing how they have reached these conclusions.

13- The secret notes

• Goals:

1. Favor the integration of the group.
2. Find out what one thinks of the other.
3. Improved self-esteem.

• Time needed: about 15-20 minutes.
• Group size: It is recommended that it be large of 15 or more people.
• Place: preferably classrooms or workspaces.
• Materials needed: paper, pencil and (if possible) a box for each member.
• Steps to follow:

1. A moderator provides each member with a box, three papers and the name of another member personally.
2. Each member takes three papers and writes down three questions that they would like to ask the person who has touched them.
3. Then, secretly, you must put your three questions in the box of the person who has touched you.
4. When all the papers are distributed, the members will read aloud the questions that they have asked.

Other dynamics of interest

Group dynamics for young people.

Assertive communication dynamics.

Motivational dynamics.

Dynamics of self-esteem.

Dynamics of emotional intelligence.

Dynamics of creativity.

Trust dynamics.

Leadership dynamics.

Dynamics of conflict resolution.

Dynamics of values.

Presentation dynamics.

Teamwork dynamics.