Three Wishes Magic Wand
Three Wishes Magic Wand: Affirming Wishes to Express Care is a 30-minute activity where participants take turns sharing a wish they have for their life. The rest of the group listens and writes down positive words of encouragement for the person who shared.
Our research shows that words of encouragement are important for expressing care in relationships. This activity helps participants learn to express care for each other by affirming each other’s wishes.
Planning and Preparation: This 30-minute activity works with 6-8 participants. You will need a magic wand (could be a toy wand, a cool-looking talking stick, a decorated pencil or stick, or any item that can be passed), blank index cards, pens or pencils, colorful sticky notes, a white board or poster paper, and a timer (optional). Works best in a space where the whole group can sit in a circle and hear one another. Facilitators should set expectations for the group to be supportive so that participants feel comfortable sharing. Some participants may need followup afterwards.
Developmental Relationship Element: Express Care.
CASEL Competencies: listening, giving/receiving feedback, communication, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills.
Objective: Build and strengthen relationships among participants and between participants and leaders. Deepen understanding of Express Care within Search Institute's developmental relationships framework.
Activity
Three Wishes Magic Wand
Resource Audience
Resource Type
Read Time
Participants
# of Participants
Task Group Size
Task Length
More Activities to Build Strong Relationships in Your Classroom or Group
Activity
Colorful Conversations
A relationship-building activity where participants take turns sharing about themselves using a set of prompts tied to each color of candy they have.
Activity
Pedagogical Partnership
Student Voice Pedagogical Partnership
Resources
Weave a Web of Support
Inspire increased support among educators.
Related Resources on Relational Practices
Video
What is youth Social Capital?
This short video is a great way to help young people understand the importance of social capital.
Relational Practice
Approaches to Providing Support
Ten approaches that can be integrated into classroom or program activities that build the Provide Support element of the developmental relationships framework.
Tool / Playbook
The Educator-to-Educator Relationships Toolkit
A series of briefs that highlight key findings and reflection opportunities for leaders and staff to learn about how to build a relationship-rich organization.