Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development - Alexandria City ...

Purpose:
This exercise is a non-threatening device to help students make positive comments towards each
other (not always easy for high school students or adults) and raise the self-esteem of everyone
involved. It also helps to develop a sense community and group cohesiveness. It is a good way
to end a session.
Time Required: 10 minutes
Materials: 5 x 8 cards, pencils
Procedure:
1. Begin by talking about how important it is for people to feel good about themselves:
“Because we would like to end this unit on a positive note, we’re going to do an exercise
where we give each other ‘strokes’, compliments and positive feelings.”
2. Have the class sit in a circle (or divide the class into groups of about ten with each group
sitting in a circle.)
3. Each student gets a 5 x 8 card.
4. Have student write own name on card.
5. On signal, have the students pass cards to left.
6. On signal to stop, stop and write a compliment about the person whose name is on the top of
the card.
7. Keep the cards going around until everyone has received around ten compliments.
8. Once the students have their own cards back, have them write down something nice about
themselves.
9. Let the student take their cards and their good feelings home.
* Family Life Education Curriculum Guide, Steven Bignell, ed.: Santa Cruz, CA:
Network Publications, 1980.
ERIKSON’S TASK: IDENTITY vs. IDENTITY DIFFUSION
Adolescence Unit 10