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Game details
The Great Observer
Step into the role of the Great Observer and sharpen your observation skills.
Download the manual
Everything you need to play this game
- Paper
- Pen
A step-by-step guide to play the game
1
Gather the group of players.
2
One player becomes the “observer”. Inform them that all of them will take turns being the observer. The observer stands at a distance from the rest of the players, who form a line next to each other.
3
The game will be played in three rounds:
- Round 1: The players make a change in their appearance. They may change something in their hair, clothes, exchange jackets, etc.
- Round 2: The players make a change in their facial expression (e.g., happy, sad, calm, scared).
- Round 3: The players change whatever they like: holding new accessories or items, hiding, changing movements or directions, etc.
4
Each round starts with the observer watching the line of players for 10 seconds. Then, the observer turns around and closes his eyes for 10 seconds.
5
Now the players make a change in their appearance/facial expression/whatever. The number of changes for the group is decided upfront and communicated with the observer.
6
When ready, the observer turns back around and carefully examines the other players, trying to identify the changes. He must find as many changes as possible, but is allowed only two mistakes. Each change is worth one point.
7
Count the points and write them down to remember at the end of the game.
8
Now, another player becomes the observer, and the same three rounds with the same number of changes are repeated.
9
Repeat as many times as needed until all players have had a turn as the observer.
10
At the end, count each player’s points. Celebrate the player with the highest score as the Great Observer. Reflect with the players on how they felt, the ease or difficulty of the game, and the importance of careful observation in various situations, especially when help is needed.
Extra game information
This game is the first game of a package of games/activities to introduce children to Psychological First Aid. If you decide to play all the games as a package, it is highly recommended to make an introduction about PFA to the children, underlining the three basic steps of PFA: observe, listen, do/link. The four games/activities of the package are based on those 3 basic steps. The games/activities of the package are:
- The Great Observer
- Conversational Chaos
- Supportive Flowers
- A Race to Help
If you want more information about PFA you can find in the links below:
- https://pscentre.org/resource/a-guide-to-psychological-first-aid-for-red-cross-red-crescent-societies/
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548205
- https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-field-operations-guide-2nd-edition
- https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/psychological-first-aid-guide-field-workers-2/
Of course, you can find even more information about this topic with a simple search online.
Variations
- You can make the game more simple, by skipping any round you want, for really large groups of players or/and for young players.
- You can adapt the number of changes or the number of mistakes the group of players can make.
Specific learning objectives
Familiarize yourself with the principles of Psychological First Aid.
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