One favorite Playworks activity is to give playful claps to an entire group in order to appreciate an individual. The positive energy of a clap helps bring groups together and bring smiles to faces.
Adding claps is easy. For example, you could give them a clap after a student does a presentation. Or you if someone volunteers to go first, give them a clap. When a coworker shares their successes, give them a clap.
Claps come in many forms and can even be made up by a group, but every claps has three common elements… 1) A clap (on the count of three), 2) an action, and 3) a sound.
For example, the Whoosh Clap is a classic. The leader begins by counting to three. When the leader says three, everyone claps once in unison. Then everyone pushes their open palms toward the clap receiver and says whoooosh. This represents a pushing of positive energy toward the appreciated person.
Whoosh Clap
Here are five more of our current favorite claps…
Bright Idea Clap
Facebook Clap
Mirror Clap
Skydiver Clap
Finding Nemo Clap
What is your favorite clap?
