Ice breaking is made up of 2 syllables "ice" which means frozen and "breaking" means destroying. So, ice breaking is an activity carried out in order to melt the existing atmosphere. This phrase is often used in a group activity to get rid of boredom. Basically, ice breaking is usually done during outbound training which aims to lighten the mood, can laugh together, joke with each other, without feeling awkward and embarrassed towards other colleagues.

Ice breaking activities can also be done indoors such as classrooms, offices, seminars, training, or an organization. Ice breaking activities are carried out to eliminate boredom, gripping, tension in an activity

For example in the classroom. Students who are already bored with long learning activities will definitely cause boredom and sleepiness. Especially if you do it for a few hours. So, ice breaking is the right solution to relieve or eliminate that feeling.

The right time to do ice breaking

• Before starting learning in class

Teacher before starting the lesson. After praying and greeting the students. The teacher starts the lesson by doing a short and simple ice breaking such as giving

Construct words

T - E - A - K

R - O - B - O - M, etc.

listen and do

The teacher will instruct students to do what the teacher says "the teacher says listen and do" then say the word, for example cough, happy, cry, etc. and students will do it

This is done so that students are not sleepy when starting learning. Mind becomes fresh and open

• Ice breaker at the office

Ice breaking activities are also carried out in the office. Usually done after lunch. Before employees resume their work again. Ice breaking activities are carried out to increase morale and cohesiveness among employees. Types of ice breaking activities that can be done such as guessing words, fun games, etc. If you have your own office or company. It's not wrong, it's not that we make employees entertained and become enthusiastic in carrying out activities

• When attending a seminar or training.

If you are used to providing training, seminars or as a material giver Either on-line or directly. When listening to long material up to 2 to 5 hours. It will definitely be boring. On the sidelines of the training, the presenters will pause or do ice breaking. The aim is that participants do not get bored.

Ice breaking that can be done on the sidelines of the seminar break is

• Guess the colors

• Guess the words or numbers

• Guess the pictures, etc.

• When teaching children to learn

When accompanying children to study at home, especially during the covid period yesterday. Children will be bored with the boring learning atmosphere at home. To give a bright color atmosphere while studying, intersperse learning activities with simple ice breaking such as

Invite the children to clap their hands by saying "yel yel" encouraging encouragement, like you say aloud "where is your spirit, this is my spirit"

Saying the names of flavors through expressions. You do an expression and the child or student will guess the expression

Sing while moving the body. For example singing the song if you're happy and you know it or head, shoulders, knees, feet, etc

• Shows a funny picture " (what's wrong)

Shows funny and weird pictures. And look for what is strange about the picture. Images can be searched on google or wherever appropriate. Ask the children to explain what is odd about the picture and how it should be

Some funny and exciting ice breaking activities that we can do with students or friends to lighten up the atmosphere

1. Strip Seven

Arrange the participants by forming a circle. One participant is randomly assigned to start counting from number 1 followed by his friend in a clockwise direction. Until the count of 7, the participant may not say 7 but is replaced with applause by the participant concerned.

After clapping then starting again from the numbers 1, 2, 3 and so on. The pronunciation of these numbers must be faster and faster. Penalties are given if: speaking late, saying prohibited words (number 7), clapping on regular numbers and mispronouncing number sequences.

2. Whisper and imitate words

This ice breaking is very simple, namely the participants stand in a row. The participant who is appointed as the leader in the game will whisper a word, after that the person mentions the word to the friend on the side and so on.

Until the last person. Then, we will ask what word is spoken. Then check one by one whether the word is the same as what the first friend said

3. Related words

One of them with a word game related. Linked words are linking words with other words in conjunction with the aim that students have more vocabulary, by giving meaning quickly. The steps in applying related words are to prepare the tools, namely dictionaries, notebooks, whiteboard markers.

Then divide the students into several groups. Write a word on the blackboard in English such as door-room-mother-read-deer and so on.

4. The word riddle "who am I?"

I'm orange, I wear a green hat and I sound like a parrot. What am I?

Answer: ........

You'll find me in Mercury, Earth, Mars and Jupiter, but not in Venus or Neptune. What am I?

Answer: ..........

There's so much to do about ice breaking fun, all you can do for those around you

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