Page 42 - Play to Learn -- In the New Nursing Home Environment

“WhatDoINeed?”Charades
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PURPOSE PARTICIPANTS To bring attention to the importance 6-10
of body language, how better to read it and to use it to key in to others’ needs.
DESCRIPTION
Participants will play charades that focus on the non-verbal signal we and others give off that may clue us in to what others are feeling but not saying.
TIME
3 minutes intro, 3 minutes for each round
SUPPLIES
Hat or bowl, pieces of paper with emotions or states of mind written on them
Steps:
• Make a list of emotions and moods commonly seen among elders and staff in the nursing home. In addition to emotions like sad, nervous, excited, content, add states of mind and body such as tired, hungry, confused, etc. Write each one on a piece of paper and put them in a bowl or hat.
• Give directions for the game to the group: Each person is to take a slip of paper and present the body language they have seen go with that emotion or state of mind. They may pull someone up out of the group to show an element of body language in relation to another person. Those watching are to speak the elements of body language they are seeing. For example: turning her back, pushing someone away, hardening her jaw. Ask those watching to say at least two of the elements before guessing the emotion
or state of mind.
• After the emotion is guessed, ask for any additional elements of body language people noticed. Then ask,
when you see someone showing this body language, what might you do for them or say to them? Remember, even positive emotions can require a reaction. If someone is happy, they may want to share their happiness with someone. If someone is content, you may want to make sure to preserve and/or
give more of whatever is making them content.
• If working with a neighborhood or household team that has permanent staffing, when an emotion comes up, you may ask “Is there something that you often do or have often witnessed someone else do when they feel this way?” Someone may note that Sarah, a CNA, bites her nails when she is stressed. Or perhaps someone has noticed that when he’s XXXX Mr Jones does XXXX.
• To wrap up, tell everybody that reading body language isn’t an exact science, but when we key into it we are giving someone a little more attention which can ultimately give more meaning to our interactions with them.
Non-verbal signals
MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION GAMES