Category: Uncategorized
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It’s likely that we all have played tic-tac-toe—and most of us are still playing it—whether we realize it or not. Nine small squares. A mix of X’s and O’s. The game is so versatile, it’s often played on a napkin. It’s also extremely predictable. So, once you know what you’re doing, it becomes extremely difficult…
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PICK-UP STICKS: Kids sit around a table or on the floor. A colorful pile of skinny sticks gets dumped onto the surface. The player’s task is to remove them one at a time, without disturbing any of the other sticks. It was easy to do, right? Not so much. One careless move and more than…
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Remember playing the game of hopscotch? All that was needed was a piece of chalk, a small rock, and a stretch of sidewalk, and we were occupied for hours. After drawing the hopscotch court, we’d simply toss the marker, hop from square to square, wobble on one foot, and then begin anew after we stepped…
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Remember playing jump rope growing up? It turns out you were doing a lot more than exercising. You were also learning timing, trust, teamwork, resilience, encouragement, and coordination, the same skills we rely on to help us navigate our friendships and professional relationships. Yup! Playing jump rope wasn’t just about timing your leap. It was…
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The childhood game “Simon Says” has a lot to say about how to improve person-to-person interaction. When we were in kindergarten, “Simon Says” seemed like nothing more than a silly game that kept us amused. But hidden inside the fun were surprisingly important lessons about person-to-person relationships. Remember the Rules? Simon says, “Touch your nose.”…
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“Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?” “You stole the cookie from the cookie jar!“Who, me?” “Yes, you!” “Couldn’t be!” “Then who?” If you grew up singing these words in an early childhood classroom, then you remember laughing as every child playfully accused one another. The game was harmless fun because everyone knows no…
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The childhood game Red-Light/Green-Light can enlighten us about how to engage in a conversation. Think back to when you stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a school gym or playing field with friends, eyes focused on the leader at the front. As soon as you heard the words green-light you sprinted forward, only to freeze in place as…
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Remember splashing around in a swimming pool, eyes squeezed shut, calling “Marco!” and hoping someone answered with “Polo”? Playing Marco-Polo was an adventure because you had to rely on communication, trust, and show a bit of courage. Surprisingly, finding and maintaining a friendship isn’t all that different. Whether you’re a college student, changing jobs, or…
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Do you recall playing “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” at birthday parties? Someone spins you around, puts a blindfold on your eyes, and sends you stumbling toward a paper donkey while everyone else laughs, cheers, and offers “helpful” directions about where to place the tail you’re holding. More often than not, the tail ends…
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Do you remember what it was like to play musical chairs when you were a child? All the kids would circle the chairs, smiling, and trying to look casual, until the music stopped. Suddenly, everyone wanted a seat. And there weren’t enough seats for everyone. The modern workplace is eerily similar. There often are more…
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