Blob Jigsaw
Another Blob tool which uses discussion and movement is ‘Blob Jigsaw’. This picture should be photocopied onto card and then cut out
into pieces before the session begins. The key idea behind it isn’t to
solve the puzzle (we’d have made it far more complex if that were
the purpose!) but as a different way to have a conversation where the
individual or group members can choose the pieces they want to focus upon.
Place the pieces face up on the tabletop and explain that the Blob Jigsaw is a way to talk about our life, especially things which mean a lot
to us which others may not know or realise. On each jigsaw piece is a
symbol for part of our life. They can represent anything which means
something to us. It may help to ask questions at this point or to
demonstrate what it could symbolise for ourselves e.g. “I’ve picked
this piece (the one with the scar and cross) because in my life I have
had lots of times when people have hurt me. One occasion was
when…” or “I’ve chosen this piece (the one with Blobs in a thought
bubble) because for me family life has been quite varied. I remember
once that my brother…”
Using the Blob Jigsaw can be done limiting the discussion to one
topic, once the individual or group has used it generally. It could be a
discussion about our jobs, our homes, our family, our beliefs, our
faith, our friendships, our schools, our feelings, our hopes and
dreams, our childhood, etc. It could be based around just one feeling,
such as happiness or anger.
The Blob Jigsaw could be enlarged and put on big pieces of card for
a whole group to use, or copied for small groups to work on together
following a whole group demonstration session. It could be put on a
large screen with individuals putting a Post-it note on the one they
choose. In a small group each person could be given a piece at random to reflect upon.
Blob YMCA Training Manual
Growth does not reside in a place called comfortable