Get to the Point

Purpose: This is a readiness activity that will help participants understand the importance of listening carefully.

Materials: None

Activity: This activity is suited for a group of 10 to 100 participants. Have group participants form a circle about elbows to elbows apart and are told to extend their right index finger up. Next have group participants move their left hand “palm up fingers flat” in front of the person on their left. Group participants then should place their right index finger into the palm of the person on their right.

When the group facilitator says an agreed upon word (e.g., count of 3 or ready, set, go) group participants attempt to catch their neighbors right index finger in their left palm while simultaneously trying to avoid having their right index finger from being caught by their other neighbor.

After a few trials, have the participants switch to extending their left index finger and move their right hand “palm up fingers flat”. Then repeat the activity.

Variation: “Reverse Get the Point” palm faces down and finger points up into the palm. Use the same prompts.

Processing:

1. What did you observe while participating in this activity?

2. Describe what good listening skills look like?

3. Describe what good listening skills sound like?

4. Why are good listening skills important to communication?

5. Describe situations in life where you have felt that someone was not listening to you? How did you handle this?

Resource: MPS Ropes & Challenge Education Curriculum