The flying/magic carpet
Closing exercise creating a possibility to reflect on lessons learned and allowing the participants to appreciate the group as a whole.
The facilitator must ensure that whatever each participant expresses, whether positive or negative, is shared without debate or discussion
Required Material: A scarf or small carpet
The group must sit on chairs or on the floor in a circle with the blanket or scarf placed in the middle of the circle.
Tell the participants that they have to find an object, close to them (it is not the intention that they should go outside and find an object as this takes time), such as a pen, glasses, etc. that symbolizes what they have learnt today or what they feel appreciation for at that moment. Give them 5 minutes to find an object among their things in the room.
Tell the participants that, one by one, they now have to leave the object they have found on the scarf/carpet and share why they have chosen the object. It could be a pen, which could symbolize the new things they have learnt. Some may put glasses, which expresses the new perspectives and insights they have gained. Or other items that simply express the gratitude and inspiration they feel towards the group. This may vary and can be very different from person to person.
The facilitator may choose to comment on what they have noticed the group has learnt or thank the group for being committed and having the courage to engage in dialogue. The facilitator can often see things that the participants won’t notice, and this is a good time to share those insights, as well as letting the group know that they have not learnt everything but are well on their way.
The facilitator can give encouraging comments to the group as they say goodbye and leave.
