GUIDES
Wait... what?
What you’ll need
• Pens and paper (optional)
Aim of the activity
Ok, a circle, then a triangle, then a line… wait that was meant to be a horse? Can you guess what someone is trying to tell you without them speaking?
Before you start: It’s really important to understand that not everyone likes to be touched and we should never touch someone without their consent. Check with each other beforehand what touch you’re comfortable with - everyone’s answer is valid and should be respected. You could do this activity by drawing the picture in the air for the next Guide to copy.
Step by step
1
Imagine your favourite thing, perhaps your cat chocolate or sunshine. Now imagine someone is going to draw this. How would you describe it to them? What words would you use?
What if you couldn’t speak to them and had no pen and paper.
You could do it through non-verbal communication. You probably communicate like this already without knowing it. Non-verbal communication is when you communicate without using words. Instead, it could be through facial expressions, hand movements, touch and even body language. Some people show they think someone is awesome by high fiving them. Have you ever looked at someone and just known what they are thinking? Sometimes the difficult thing is trying to understand what they are trying to communicate.
2
Get into your Patrols and find a space. You need to stand in a line, one behind each other all facing the same way.
3
Your leader is going to whisper a picture to you. You need to pass it down to the Guide at the front of your line… the catch, you can’t say a word. You have to draw it on the back of the Guide in front of you by using your finger or a pen with the lid on.
Picture ideas
- House
- Car
- Horse
- Crown
- Castle
4
Each Guide should wait until the Guide behind them has finished drawing, then repeat what they think the picture was on the Guide in front. Once the drawing has reached the Guide at the front of the line they should call out what they think the picture is. Can the Guide at the front of the line get it right?
Try it this way
Wanting to have a giggle? Get the Guide at the front of the line to draw on a piece of paper what they think the picture is.
5
Was it hard to guess? What could you do to make it easier? Work as a Patrol to think about how quickly you draw it or which bits you draw first.
6
Swap who’s at the front of the line and your leader will give you a new picture. Keep going until you’ve perfected your communication.
7
Finally, create one massive line with everyone in the unit. Can you pass a picture all the way down the line?