| Hopefully, by now everyone involved in promoting | | | | love/hate relationship with modeling clay. I still make |
| learning recognizes the importance of having materials | | | | sure to bring it, because I've seen participants make |
| on participant tables. The haptic and kinesthetic | | | | incredible creations with it. I typically find these at craft |
| learners really need something to do with their hands | | | | markets. |
| to increase the probability of their learning. | | | | Another winner are colorful plastic snap together tubes |
| The following table top "toys" are my favorites | | | | and snap together cubes and triangles. They are light |
| because they appear to be my participants' favorites. | | | | and easy to carry and folks are extremely creative |
| "Toys" is in quotes because they are really learning | | | | with them. One particularly inspired fellow actually |
| tools. | | | | made an entire castle with working drawbridge out of |
| My long time favorite table top "toy" is the classic | | | | them (using pipe cleaners). Very impressive! |
| Koosh ball. As large as an orange, their many colors | | | | One more table top "toy" I love is a clear plastic tube |
| are visually appealing and their rubber strands invite | | | | about 10" long filled with colorful glitter and other bits in |
| bouncing, twirling, braiding, and squeezing. They are | | | | a liquid. I need to warn you, however, that I typically |
| excellent stress reducers, useful for times when | | | | lose at least one a session because participants get |
| participants need to introduce themselves or make | | | | so enamored with them. I purchase them at a |
| report outs in front of the rest of the group. Usually, | | | | specialty toy store. |
| there is even someone who knows how to juggle, | | | | I always put two large colored foam dice on the |
| which is fun for everyone to watch (during a break!). | | | | tables. Participants can use them to identify the group |
| The Koosh ball can be used for an instant energizer: | | | | leader or who should go first in a game. They also add |
| just tell everyone to grab a Koosh and, when the | | | | color and interest to the table. These are available at |
| music starts, throw them at each other and try to | | | | internet novelty sites. |
| keep as many in the air as possible. A few minutes of | | | | The geo twister fiddler offers a variety of interesting |
| this Koosh toss, and the laughter that accompanies hits | | | | kinesthetic possibilities. It is plastic and very flexible. As |
| and misses, will invigorate any group. To purchase | | | | a result, it can be flattened or poked and pulled into a |
| classic Koosh balls at an economical price, I do a web | | | | number of different shapes. Training supply companies |
| search. | | | | on the internet offer these. |
| A recent happy find is pipe cleaners. Not only are their | | | | Another caution: If you are going to place these items |
| inexpensive, light, and easy to pack, the creativity that | | | | on participant tables, it is helpful to isolate them at one |
| they inspire is absolutely amazing! The long, brightly | | | | end of the table. That way, those participants who |
| colored chenille pipe cleaners are also wonderfully soft | | | | enjoy them can access them, and those participants |
| to the touch, which adds to the pleasure of working | | | | who are less interested in them don't feel that they are |
| with them. It is possible to buy them in bulk at internet | | | | cluttering up the table. The only item I place in front of |
| sites that sell novelty items. | | | | each of the participants is a Koosh ball. |
| Different blocks of colored non-hardening and reusable | | | | There are all sorts of kinesthetic items available for a |
| modeling clay also inspire amazing creativity. They are | | | | trainer to place on participant tables. Let your |
| heavy to pack, however, and you need to make sure | | | | participants interact with them to relieve their stress |
| that the dye doesn't come off on people's hands, | | | | and stay focused on the content. You will find that |
| which can make a real mess. As you can tell, I have a | | | | everyone benefits. |