7 Warm-up Toolkit Activities
Full list of warm-up toolkit activities that can be modified as 10 minute introductory exercises
Dear collaborative discussion friends,
This week we are sharing the full list of 7 warm-up toolkit activities for easy reference. These activities can be easily modified to serve as an introductory exercise and completed in less than 10 minutes. All the activities in the toolkit have an activity key that indicates the level of the activity (beginner or advanced) and other characteristics using icons. Activities than can be adapted as warm-up exercises are denoted with the following icon.
If you missed the previous newsletter, 14 Connection Toolkit Activities, you can access it and our other weekly newsletters by subscribing below.
7 warm-up toolkit activities that can be modified as 10 minute introductory exercises
1) Activity 2.1 Promoting Curiosity
Activity 2.1 Promoting Curiosity. This activity illustrates how curiosity can be enhanced by the use of prompts to exercise the mind. These prompts are designed to explore dimensions of an issue which may not be evident upon initial review.
2) Activity 2.3 Seeking Innovation
Activity 2.3 Seeking Innovation. This activity describes a simple practice for generating innovative ideas. By using mind mapping, participants describe the landscape of an issue and then use word connections to generate new ideas that can be developed into workable and innovative new directions.
3) Activity 2.5 Cultivating a Willingness to Play
Activity 2.5 Cultivating a Willingness to Play. This activity encourages participants to take themselves less seriously and play with ideas (and one another). When we play, we explore—which offers an opportunity to let down our analytical guard and see with fresh perspectives.
4) Activity 2.7 Expanding Thinking with Metaphors
Activity 2.7 Expanding Thinking with Metaphors. Metaphors are unusual comparisons that can help us see things in new ways. This activity stimulates creative discussion by encouraging the group to challenge their assumptions and default thinking.
5) Activity 2.9 Challenging Taboos to Enhance Creativity
Activity 2.9 Challenging Taboos to Enhance Creativity. Our imagination is often restricted by internalized taboos. While these restrictions may be appropriate in some cases, we are often unaware or subconsciously influenced by taboos. Uncovering taboos that affect us can provide creative breakthroughs for how we think about issues.
6) Activity 3.4 Developing Comfort with Ambiguity
Activity 3.4 Developing Comfort with Ambiguity. This activity is designed to encourage participants to grapple with “no win” situations. Through discussion, participants will explore seemingly simple moral dilemmas which will actually expose the complexity of decision-making.
7) Activity 4.3 Understanding Perspectives on a Continuum
Activity 4.3 Understanding Perspectives on a Continuum. This exercise makes visible a range of views on an issue as well as how hard it is to take on the view of someone else. It helps participants become aware of how strongly held views can lead them to be dismissive of the views of others.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! Our next community gathering is Thursday, June 20th at 12 pm (EDT). During this gathering, we will provide an overview of new CDP website features, including how coaches can create a member account to access member only pages, such as certificate program templates & coach only resources. We will also go over the updated process and requirements for offering certificate programs, the administrative support we provide, and any questions you may have about offering certificate programs. All are welcome! Register here.
We also have a community gathering planned for Thursday, July 18th at 12 pm (EDT). All are welcome! Register here.
Looking forward to collaborating,
Ritu Thomas & the Collaborative Discussion Team