Building Empathy through the Mirror Game

Description of the activity:

Advance Preparation:

Create a suitable space for conducting the activity, ensuring there is enough room for movement and pairs to face each other comfortably.

Process:

• Initiate the activity by asking participants to find a partner and form pairs, facing each other.

• Explain that the activity is the Mirror Game.

• Provide the following instructions:

• Designate one partner as "A" and the other as "B."

• In the first round, partner A will be "the person" and partner B will be "the mirror"; then they will switch roles.

• Encourage partners to make various movements for their mirror images to follow, starting with facial expressions and progressing to body movements.

Based on the class, it is recommended to create and use cards depicting specific situations and emotions for simulation purposes. For example, cards from the game Dixit can be utilized.

Dixit is a storytelling card game that features dreamlike illustrations designed to inspire imagination and creativity. Each card presents a unique, surreal image that can evoke various interpretations, making them ideal for activities involving emotional expression and scenario simulation, and create narratives, thereby enhancing their language skills and emotional intelligence.

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/dixit-creativity-meets-storytelling/

After two rounds, facilitate a discussion based on the following questions:

• How did you find the activity? What did you enjoy about it?

• When you were the mirror, how did you manage to synchronize with your partner's movements?

• In real-life situations, when is it important to reflect each other's actions or emotions, and why?

  
  

Conclusion:

Summarize the activity by reinforcing key points:

• Empathy involves understanding and replicating the emotions, concerns, and needs of others.

• Empathy strengthens connections and fosters a deeper understanding of one another.

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Emotional flash cards