Ages 6 - 15. 

• Figure-Ground Relationship: Enhancing listening skills and attention to detail involves discerning the relevant information (figure) from the overall instructions (ground), focusing on key details amidst potentially distracting information.

• Closure: Promoting independence and problem-solving abilities requires individuals to mentally complete missing information or steps in the instructions, forming a cohesive understanding of the task despite gaps in guidance.

• Similarity: Encouraging creative interpretation within limited guidance entails recognizing similarities between given instructions and previous experiences or knowledge, allowing for innovative approaches to fulfilling the task within the constraints provided.

• Proximity: Reinforcing confidence in following directions autonomously involves perceiving the closeness of one's understanding and execution of instructions, gradually building confidence through repeated successful attempts and adjustments.

• 2 drawings (e.g., tractor, house), pencils & coloured pencils, blank A4 sheets

20 minutes

Participants are divided into pairs and sit facing each other so that their backs touch.

a) One person in the pair receives a drawing and must describe it to the other person, who then draws it as accurately as possible. No questioning or commenting is allowed during this process.

b) In the second part, the roles are reversed, and this time both participants are allowed to speak and ask questions.

For younger participants, it works best with simple and playful instructions, such as asking them to draw a house with three windows and a cat in front. For older participants, the instructions can be more abstract or metaphorical, for example drawing something that represents freedom in the top-left corner of the page. If participants have limited drawing skills, the activity can focus on using shapes and symbols rather than realistic drawings, while for neurodiverse participants, optional visual prompts such as cards with shapes, objects, or symbols can be provided. In an online setting, participants can use digital whiteboards or drawing apps and share their finished drawings afterward.

The reflection phase begins once all participants have completed their drawings. They place their drawings side by side to compare and notice similarities and differences. Each participant then has the opportunity to explain how they interpreted specific instructions, followed by a group discussion about how communication, interpretation, and assumptions shaped their drawings.

The expected outcome of the activity is that participants improve their active listening skills and become more aware of how interpretations can differ, even when given the same instructions. They learn to appreciate the importance of clarity in communication, exercise their creativity within structure, and enjoy a shared experience that sparks both reflection and bonding within the group.

Adapt the difficulty of the artistic motif to the age of the children.