Name Game

To encourage the children to get to know each other

The children will begin to build a spirit of community within the group.

• Small stuffed toy or soft ball

• Tell the children that they will be playing a game to help them get to know each other.
• Invite the children to stand in a circle.
• Go around the circle and ask each child to say his or her name and one thing about himself or herself.
• Then tell the children to start tossing the stuffed toy or ball around the circle.
• Each child should say his or her name first and then call out the name of the child to whom he or she is going to throw the object and the one thing he or she learned about that child.
• Continue tossing the ball or toy around the circle until every child has tossed it at least once.
• Conclude by reminding the children that they will get to know each other better with each session.

Body Smart

Demonstrate to the children the proper way to toss the ball or toy (underhand).

Make sure there is nothing breakable in the room that the children could hit with the ball or toy.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.