We introduced the check-in after feedback from the group.
The purpose is to a) give people a chance to let go of whatever’s been going on for them that day, and to be in the right head space for the group and, b) give people the chance to let the group know if there’s anything going on for them.
How to do the check-in
The check-in happens after the introduction to the group’s purpose and format and before the main conversation.
- Ask people to get into small groups of two or three.
- Each person gets up to one minute to answer the question “How’s your day been?”
- The other person practises active listening: they don’t interrupt or comment on what the other person is saying. Simply listen and allow the other person to speak.
- One of the facilitators keeps track of time and lets people know when a minute has passed.