Tip #186: Favorite Give-Aways #3

Great prizes for pop ups, games, and wise insights include bendables and bug-eyed novelties. You may be wondering what I’m talking about!

Bendables are three inch high hard plastic figures that can stand and have arms, legs and torsos that can bend. My personal favorites are the star student bendables, with star-shaped heads, although many participants will trade to get the red devil bendables, with horns and tails! There are lots of other types of bendables, including happy faced guys, and different zoo animals that are two-legged with animal faces. Participants have a lot of fun bending them into sitting and standing positions, and perching them on top of ducks or glasses. These are not toxic like the dog and cat bendables that were recalled from lots of libraries a few years ago. The only caution is that it is wiser to hand out bendables rather than to throw them, because they could easily take an eye out!

Bug-eyed novelties are small, rounded soft plastic items such as tropical fish or happy faced guys heads that are filled with a liquid. When you squeeze them, their eyes bug out! They are surprising, colorful, and cute. Although I refer to them as bug-eyed novelties, you’ll have better success finding them under novelties “with putty eyes.” I just ordered some new ones that are Halloween characters with putty eyes, which will be perfect for upcoming October workshops! The one caution about them is that they are wrapped in plastic and should probably stay wrapped. The liquid that enables their eyes to bug out often leaks and, because it is somewhat oily, can make a mess. Definitely not something to bring home to children.

There won’t be a Tip on September 24th because I will be in Sedona, Arizona on the very first vacation I’ve ever taken on my own! This will also be my very first visit to Sedona. On October 1st, we’ll resume discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, looking at puzzles and paddles.

In the meantime, if there are other great novelties, toys, prizes, or give-aways that your participants appreciate, please let us know about them!

This week, we continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, puzzles and paddles.

However, before we begin, here are two other give-aways that were very effective in a recent workshop- on computer software changes!! So, all of you who do computer training and are wondering how to incorporate these items into your training programs, please pay attention!! :-)

“Hi Deb,

We recently did training on a new software application. It was our loan origination platform, so it was quite comprehensive and a big change. The project lead requested that I order inflatable hammers---for pounding away frustrations---and hand clappers---for completing a skill or a loan. I got both, in neon colors, from Oriental Trading company. The clappers included a strobe light handle. They were both very colorful and a big "hit."

Sarah Schenkat
Training/HR Specialist
Badgerland Farm Credit Services”

Sarah, thanks so much for your letter. I’ve used clappers before, but they weren’t as snazzy- and I’ve never used inflatable hammers, or any other inflatable toys, before. What terrific ideas!

This week, we continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, puzzles and paddles.

Tip #185: Favorite Give-Aways #2

One of my favorite give-aways is the rainbow-colored mini slinky that comes in a variety of different shapes, such as stars, fish, hearts, and butterflies, as well as geometric shapes, like circles and hexagons. They are very easy to use as metaphors for any training content that emphasizes flexibility and resilience, such as responding to change, making effective presentations, or meeting the needs of different learning styles- or content that emphasizes extending yourself without losing yourself, such as assertive skills or risk taking. I’m sure you get the picture: they are extremely flexible (no pun intended)!

As the trainer, all you need to do is to ask the question: “How is [whatever the training content is] like a slinky?” Your participants will take off brainstorming and create their own meanings and references, to which you can return throughout the training session. There is also the extra added benefit that the slinkies are lots of fun to play with, keeping hands busy and minds active!

Although I really do NOT own any stock in Oriental Trading Company, it is very nice that they offer an assortment of 50 for less than $15. Just look for this under mini rainbow magic spring assortment.

Another favorite give-away is a small plastic kaleidoscope. When the participants look through their kaleidoscopes, they work beautifully focused on the colorful kites I put up on the walls. If your content is concerned with appreciating diversity or different perspectives (in team building, negotiation, or conflict management), or creativity, they are very relevant. The one drawback is that the plastic covers come off pretty easily, so I always warn participants not to take them with them if they or anyone around them, such as small children, might put them into their mouths! As a result, they often leave them.. In comparison, it is exceptionally rare that any participants leave the slinkies!

Next week, we’ll continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, looking at bendables and bug-eyed novelties.

This week, we continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, bendables and bug-eyed novelties.

Tip #184: Favorite Give-Aways #1

My favorite give-aways are the thematic and seasonal ducks, duckies and duckys from Oriental Trading Company. If you go to http://www.orientaltrading.com, you will find them for every holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter), for occasions (happy birthday, graduation, baby shower, bride and groom, fiesta, rainy day, and snow flake), many careers( pirate, cowboy, rock star, armed forces, professional, camouflage nurses, mad scientist, teacher, and star student), for a variety of themes (patriotic, pink ribbon, angel, devil, fairy tale, bingo, Chinese, over the hill, and luau), for pets (dogs, cats, and unicorn), and for sports (golfer, football and cheerleader of every color, basketball, soccer, baseball, ninja, biker, and referees). Every time I check the site, they have new ducks from which to choose. This time, it was the mad scientist and the golfer!

Most of the ducks are yellow or orange, with very colorful attire and appendages- except for the devil ducks, which are bright red with horns! I have found that many participants get a kick out of the devil ducks! Unfortunately, they’ve been out of stock for a while., but you can keep checking. Their catalog number is IN-32/717.

Just bear in mind that, to find the duck you want, you need to search the Oriental Trading Company website using duck, duckie, ducky and rubber duck!

It is really amazing what participants will do to earn a duck! Since the ducks are very light to throw, I also don’t bean anyone when I throw them erratically, which is my typical style! Because there are at least four and often six different kooky styles of every duck in the package of twelve, folks often like to collect more than one.

I’ve been having fun using ducks as give-aways for several years, but I only just recently saw this beautifully affirming article about ducks as symbols of versatility from DailyOM:

“July 23, 2007
Symbols Of Versatility
Ducks

If you are lucky enough to live in a part of the world that is also a home to ducks, you will no doubt be familiar with the image of their cute feathery bottoms sticking up in the air as their heads disappear under the surface of the water. Perhaps you’ve even taken a moment to wonder what they see in their underwater world, and if they will resurface with a fish or a water bug in their beaks. As we observe them, we see that ducks are denizens of three worlds—the world of air, the world of water, and the world of earth. As such, they have adapted themselves to be able to swim, fly, and walk, and they seek and find nourishment in more than one place. They are symbols of versatility and can inspire us to explore our own ability to adapt and find nourishment in a variety of places.

Ducks are able to float, swim, and dive into the water, fishing for food. They can walk on the ground, eating vegetation and bugs, and they fly in the air to travel long distances relatively quickly. Equipped with feet that are equally good at paddling and walking, as well as wings to fly, ducks seem comfortable in just about any natural environment. Next time you see a duck bottom, you might be inspired to examine your own ability to both float on the surface and to dive beneath it. In many traditions, water symbolizes the emotions—to duck our heads into our emotions means we are able to surrender our minds to our hearts, to go into the watery realm of feeling and see what there is to see, often coming to the surface with nourishment and treasure.

At the same time, we share the duck's ability to get solid ground under our feet by connecting to the earth on which we live simply by walking on it. And finally, when we reside in our spirits, we fly above the mental, emotional, and material realms, free of all the ties that bind us to this earth, traveling faster and farther than we ever thought possible.”

This article is printed from DailyOM - Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. For more information, visit dailyom.com.

Since our focus as trainers is to encourage and support versatility and resilience in the face of all sorts of changes, it is truly serendipitous that these funny and charming rubber ducks are available to us!


Next week, we’ll continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, looking at slinkies and kaleidoscopes.

This week, we continue a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes. However, before we do, Tracy Adams of Abn Amro has some wonderful ideas to share:

“First, thanks (again, maybe - I think I've written to you before) for this email service. Although I have been in the training business for two decades, I still find interesting tidbits, and enjoy hearing from your other readers.

As a practitioner who regularly uses both toys and give-aways, I have a couple of comments to share:

1) While toys can simply serve the purpose of stimulating participants (i.e., keeping them awake through the afternoon energy slump and giving kinesthetic learners - which I refer to as 'movers and shakers' - a place to focus their active energy), I have always found that the most effective and value-producing give-aways are ones that tie in a fairly direct way to the class. To just give participants something to work for is okay, but we bring more value to the organization if the item ties to the subject and continues to reinforce the info/message after the class.

2) Don't rule out "do it yourself" take-aways. During a customer service session, we provide stand-up "super heroes" to participants. These are figures we created from clip art and print on thick paper. There is a place for participants to write a message on the figure. During the session, we have them create their own personal customer service mission statement and record it on the super hero figure. Just last week I walked by a former trainee's desk and saw the figure posted there - from 6 years ago! I asked him how he felt he was doing with his mission statement, and he said, 'Having this posted here, I find that every day I find some new way to live up to it.' Good for him, good for the organization.

Thanks again for keeping the learning light shining!

Tracy Adams
CTP.CA, CPLP • First Vice President, Trainer • TB NA Training and Development”

Tracy, thank you so much for writing and reminding us all how important it is to tie take-aways to the class content whenever possible. In past Tips, we’ve discussed the use of metaphor and related do-it yourself take-aways in accelerated learning training, such as creating tiny bridges for a workshop on Building Respect in the Workplace and decorating tiny trees with fake fruits and flowers for a workshop on Building Positive Partnerships. I absolutely love the idea of the clip art super hero figure with a personal customer service mission statement! What a creative and elegantly simple take-away that is incredibly powerful and clearly has had a lasting impact on the participants!

I also get a kick out of your reference to kinesthetic learners as movers and shakers,” Tracy. You’ve got a great sense of humor and you are absolutely right about them!

Tip #183: The Fun Factor

The first time I participated in one of your training sessions, I completely rejected the idea of 'playing'. Heaven forbid, I should have fun learning! I always consider the fun factor for my learners, why would I reject the idea for myself? Was I too mature for it? Would it make me look silly...less credible?

I forgot, too, that I never enter into a public speaking engagement without my "worry stone" in hand! Who was I kidding?

It didn't take me five minutes to start swooshing that old Koosh ball from one hand to the other...swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! The rhythm coincided with the pace of the activity. The sound was as soothing as my mother's heartbeat. The soft texture was comforting! I was hooked!

I remember, too, how we passed the ball to our teammates indicating our choice of "next" in many of our discussion assignments. It was great fun! We were kids again! We were playmates discovering our real personalities! It was a WOW!

But, don't forget to mention a couple other things you do. I laugh aloud when I recall how we fought to jump to our feet with just the right response and win a candy kiss from your larder of goodies! We stashed them in our book bags and brief cases knowing that we would be taking them to our rooms in anticipation of midnight!

And, finally, we can't forget the kites. Symbols to all of us that you were going to help us soar! And you always manage to take us to heights unimaginable!

Thanks Deb!

Thank you, Julie, for getting to the heart of the matter, as always! We need to create an enriched, colorful, pleasant, enticing learning environment- draw our participants back to the time when all learning was new and wonderful and fun and play. Remember Robert Fulghum’s book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?

So, when participants come into your training room, look at all the colorful items on the tables and walls, and say, “What’s this? Kindergarten?” the wise and loving trainer’s answer is “Yes! Let’s make sure today is as fascinating and fulfilling as your time in kindergarten, when you wanted to learn everything and enjoyed the process!”

Next week, we’ll really start a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, beginning with devil ducks!

September 3, 2007

Welcome to Laurel Learning Tips, which is published weekly by Laurel and Associates, Ltd. Please feel free to forward these Tips to anyone who may find them useful. Previous Tips #1-183 can be found on our website: http://www.laurelandassociates.com.

This week, we start a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes, beginning with devil ducks! However, before we do, here is another wonderful testimonial about the use of “learning aids” from Nancy C. Anderson of Hennepin County, Minnesota! By the way, Hennepin County is comprised of 26 cities, of which Minneapolis is the largest.

“I've been training, full time, for the past nine years. We ALWAYS have "learning aids" on the training tables in our classrooms. In fact, we created
a "travel kit" for our training offsite, so we can have toys at those classes, also. When I first started doing employee training (after being an
college instructor), I took a 4-day Accelerated Learning workshop that gave us plenty of reasons (based on research!) for making sure we used the
training aids, in particular for the kinesthetic learners. We always explain that before each class, and we've never had people gripe or complain
about the class being too juvenile. In fact, we often hear comments of appreciation!

Working for government, our training rooms lack color and stimulation, so for a year, we actually had colorful kites hanging from the ceilings of our
two main classrooms! We "retired" those and then bought colorful Chinese lanterns (bought on clearance from Pier 1), which also brighten our
classroom. I'm anxious to get more ideas, from this Learning Tips newsletter, so thanks in advance for the help!

Nancy C. Anderson
Learning & Development Consultant
Human Resources
Hennepin County, MN”

Nancy, thank you for so convincingly validating the importance of these learning aids and explaining how to introduce them!

Tip #182: Favorite Table Top “Toys”

Hopefully, by now everyone involved in promoting learning recognizes the importance of having materials on participant tables. The haptic and kinesthetic learners really need something to do with their hands to increase the probability of their learning.

The following table top “toys” are my favorites because they appear to be my participants’ favorites. “Toys” is in quotes because they are really learning tools. I’ve included information about where I purchase them, to give you at least a starting off point. I do not have stock in any of the companies that I mention (although I probably should look into that...) and it is entirely possible there are other companies who sell them at lower cost. If you can recommend other suppliers, that would be wonderful!

My long time favorite table top “toy” is the classic Koosh ball. As large as an orange, their many colors are visually appealing and their rubber strands invite bouncing, twirling, braiding, and squeezing. They are excellent stress reducers, useful for times when participants need to introduce themselves or make report outs in front of the rest of the group. Usually, there is even someone who knows how to juggle, which is fun for everyone to watch (during a break!). The Koosh ball can be used for an instant energizer: just tell everyone to grab a Koosh and, when the music starts, throw them at each other and try to keep as many in the air as possible. A few minutes of this Koosh toss, and the laughter that accompanies hits and misses, will invigorate any group. To purchase classic Koosh balls at an economical price, I do a web search. Star Magic at http://www.starmagic.com currently sells them at $2.25 each, which is a terrific price!

A recent happy find is pipe cleaners. Not only are their inexpensive, light, and easy to pack, the creativity that they inspire is absolutely amazing! The long, brightly colored chenille pipe cleaners are also wonderfully soft to the touch, which adds to the pleasure of working with them. Oriental Trading Company at http://www.orientaltrading.com sells them in bulk.

Different blocks of colored non-hardening and reusable modeling clay also inspire amazing creativity. They are heavy to pack, however, and you need to make sure that the dye doesn’t come off on people’s hands, which can make a real mess. As you can tell, I have a love/hate relationship with modeling clay. I still make sure to bring it, because I’ve seen participants make incredible creations with it. I typically find these at craft markets. I am reasonably certain that the 5 color EZ modeling clay I just purchased at Joann Fabric does not leave dye on your hands. I’m certainly hoping that’s the case, since I have six packages of them!

Another winner are colorful plastic snap together tubes and snap together cubes and triangles. They are light and easy to carry and folks are extremely creative with them. One particularly inspired fellow actually made an entire castle with working drawbridge out of them (using pipe cleaners). Very impressive!
Oriental Trading Company sells these.

One more table top “toy” I love is a clear plastic tube about 10” long filled with colorful glitter and other bits in a liquid. I need to warn you, however, that I typically lose at least one a session because participants get so enamored with them . I purchase them at J.T. Puffins in Madison, Wisconsin, which is a specialty toy store. I haven’t found a good economical supplier on the web, so if you know of one, please let me know!

Another caution: If you are going to place these items on participant tables, it is helpful to isolate them at one end of the table. That way, those participants who enjoy them can access them, and those participants who are less interested in them don’t feel that they are cluttering up the table. The only item I place in front of each of the participants is a Koosh ball.

In the following weeks, we will discuss participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes.

Last week, I said that today we would start a discussion of my participants’ favorite give-aways and prizes. However, my good friend and a wonderful trainer, Julie Almont from Delaware Park, wrote to remind me about the philosophy behind the use of table top “toys,” prizes, give aways, and peripherals (such as kites on the walls). She says it best, so this is what this week’s Tip is all about:

Tip #181: More Useful Countdown Timers

am so appreciative when you respond to these Tips and offer your expertise and great finds. Last week's Tip discussed two countdown timers that I use on my Mac. Here is information about two more countdown timers that are PC-friendly from my friend Lori Becker:

"Deb,

The timer sounded like a great idea since I have trouble getting people to come back from breaks. So, I had to do some pc timer searches and found the following.

Cool Timer can be found on this website. The timer can be small or big on the screen. You can change its colors. You can download .wav files for the alarm. http://www.harmonyhollow.net/ct.shtml.

This is a 'pizza timer". It's a cool shape and you can use MP3's for the alarm.
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/downloads/free/countdown_timer_info/index1.htm
Thanks for the neat idea!

Lori Becker"

Don't they sound like fun to use? Thanks so much, Lori!

Tip #180: Useful Countdown Timers

It used to be so simple back in the "olden days of overhead projectors,"before the advent of PowerPoint. There was a wonderful TeachTimer that could count up or down that you lay on the projector so that a digital clock was projected onto the screen. It was a perfect way to count down break times or in-class activities so that the participants could pace themselves. The TeachTimer is still available, but mine now sits idly on a shelf.

When I started using PowerPoint, I had trouble finding any countdown timer that was comparable. There seemed to be a few options for PCs. But I use a Mac, so it took a while until I discovered the two options I now use.

With great thanks to Duane Wilmot, who first told me about time keeping freeware, I finally discovered the Apimac Timer: a complete and professional stopwatch, alarm clock, countdown and clock utility for Mac OS X available at http://www.apimac.com/timer/index.php. Even a person who is technologically-impaired such as I am can move easily between PowerPoint and the Apimac Timer. What I like about it is that it is so flexible. I can use it to count down the time for an activity. It also works beautifully during breaks to count down the time while I play whatever break time music I want on my iPod.

For those of you on PCs, just Google a freeware countdown timer and I know you'll find all kinds of free options!

My second find is a fun animated countdown timer called Break Time Boogie that I purchased from The Trainer's Warehouse. "Get students back from break--on time--without nagging! This playful countdown timer uses light-hearted animations, set to a contagious boogie beat, to help students know how much time is left for phone calls, Blackberries, and pit stops. With each passing minute, the screen fills up with more and more lively animations. Just project it onto your computer screen and choose your own countdown time (5, 10, or 15 minutes). They'll boogie on back with a smile."It works with both PC and Mac. Right now, it lists at $9.95 at http://www.trainerswarehouse.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SOBG! What a steal!

If you have other countdown timers to suggest, please be my guest!!