To Start the Game
Empathy Circle Reflective Listening

As a rule, we are trained to respond to others. In this activity, we learn to reflect our best understanding of what the other person has said. The Empathy Circle is a practice of mutual reflective listening. Here are some basic Empathy Circle rules:

GAMEPLAY
The facilitator assembles a group of common household items (e.g., a pen, a paper clip, a fork) to be used as props. Player 1 selects an item and writes down five things that they will transform the prop into, showing their list to no one by placing it face down. Player 1 then uses the item, non-verbally, pantomiming in a way that transforms the item into one of the items on their list.

GAMEPLAY - COMMUNITY GAME
One player is the designated “conductor” and starts with a simple beat or mouth noise. After about ten seconds, they point to the next player in the circle to add on a sound—either a new sound or mimicking another player’s sound. This continues until the whole group is producing a musical jam for 30 seconds to a minute.

I’m going to build a Culture of Empathy and I’m going to bring…
GAMEPLAY
Player 1 says, “I’m going to build a culture of empathy and I’m going to bring a _________” (player names an object). Player 2 repeats the phrase and adds an item to Player 1’s statement.