Program in Group Work

Programs in group work include different activities relationship, interaction and

experience which are planned and carried out with the help of group worker to meet the needs of
individual groups and communities. Program planned and discussed, then the group discover
and use their resources in order to make the program more effective. In program making process
the group worker should keep in the mind that the program must be according to the needs and
interest of group members. It is the group workers main duty to see the age, central background,
cultural aspect and also the economic difference of group members. Whenever a program is meet
every member should be given chance to share experience and interest. In order to make program
more effective, the rules and regulation must be made flexible and include simple to complex
rules. By keeping all these points in mind the group worker can guide and load the group to
make better program.
Importance of Program in Group Work
1. To develop good personality.
2. To socialize the people.
3. To utilize group members to achieve their goals.
4. To establish and develop good relationship among group members.
5. To settle their dispute and conflict among the group members and to control their conflict.
Role of Group worker in Program
1. Helping the group members to plan the program.
2. Discovering potentials and interest of members with in the group.
3. Using the environment to stimulate new program activities like singing, dancing, playing etc.
4. Using limitations in right manner. i.e., limitation caused by materials, rules, situations etc.
Use of Program Media
Largely because of its early linkages to the field of creation, group work has recognized
the value of additional types of activities in pursuit of change goals. Often, group workers
introduce varied tasks and program to supplement discussion, depending on the particular
composition and goals of the group. Since verbal abilities are less developed among younger
children, games and crafts activities have been effectively used as part of their program. With
adolescents and adults, on the other hand, a number of social activities and planning for group
action are found effective. Within institution client groups can be helped to explore problems of
the social environmental condition by being permitted to undertake limited self-government.
Many messages for social development and conscientization are given through the use of folk
media in villages and urban community groups. All these program activities extend the
opportunities for meaningful interaction among clients, significant involvement with social tasks
and acquisition of valued interpersonal skills. For any of the types of models or approaches of
groups referred there are in any setting of group work practice, one or a combination of the
following program activities which can be used for diagnostic problem solving or treatment
purpose.
Play:
The use of all types of games (physical, intellectual, memory, sensory) including playing
with blocks, toys, sand and water, in the case of young children.
Drama, mime, use of puppets and masks and role-play:
In these, members of the group are asked to act various parts which have significance to
their problems of difficulties. Individuals thereby gain insight into their own behavior and that of
others.
Music and arts and crafts:
The former which can be vocal or instrumental on a solo or group basis depict and
provide an outlet for all varieties of human emotions whereas the latter, through work with
diverse materials such as wood, clay, paper, straw or paints, given ample scope for self-
expression, creativity, balance and harmony.
Talk:
This is the action most people associate immediately with group activities especially of a
problem-solving or therapeutic nature dealing with critical topics related to the client’s personal
lives. Included in this activity are small group discussions, lectures, seminars, conversations,
sensitivity games and encounter sessions. (A much used mode of communication, talk is an
essential part of most of the other activities.)
Movement:
This kind of activity is being used, as counter to the rather overemphasized verbal
communication just referred to. Activities include exploration of touch, non-verbal
communication, dance, mime and physical encounter.
Work:
This activity speaks for itself and covers projects and tasks of all kinds of complexity
which involve an ongoing process of cooperative endeavor.
1. Puppet Show
Puppets are often molded/ carved out of various types of materials and covered with hairs
or wool of sheep or other animals. Puppets may represent human, animals, robots, any objects,
creatures, mythical beings, newly imagined creatures, monsters etc. Puppets are typically
animated only in the head and face. Their arms and other parts are mobile expressive. Puppets
are typically made of soft material. They are presented by puppeteers who are usually not visible
and remain hidden behind a set or outside the camera. Usually four types of puppets are common
like Shadow puppet, String puppet, Rod and Hand or Glove puppet. The puppet holder holds the
puppet above his hand or in front of his body with one hand operating the head and mouth and
other hand holding the arms. The performer who controls the mouth usually provides the voice
for the character as technology have evolved varieties of means to operate puppets where
developed. This puppet can be used in group programme to create awareness among people as
well as for providing entertainment to the peoples.
Steps of Puppet Shows
1. Selection of subject matter.
2. Collection and construction of materials (puppet).
3. Determination of place, time and date.
4. Management of setting, place and light.
5. Discussion and evaluation.
Some factors should be consider in use of puppets like use of puppets according to
content, showing puppets in such a way that audience can observe and get entertainment.
1. Street Play
Street Theater/Drama is a form of theatrical performance and presentation done in
outdoor public places without specific paying audience. The places can be anywhere including
shopping centers, car parks, street corner etc. They are specially seen in outdoor places where
large number of people gathers. The actors who perform street drama range from buskers to the
organized theater companies or group that one at experiment from the performance or to
promote their main stream work. Sometimes performance are paid specially for street festival,
children performs street shows but often street play performers are unpaid or gathered some
income by dropping of coins by the audience. Street play has simple costumes and prop and
often there is little or no sound system street drama includes dance, mime. The performance
needs to be highly visible, loud and simple to follow in order to attract a crowd. Different people
have different motivations to use street as a space for performance. This can be used in group
work performance for generating awareness among people regarding different social problem
like drug abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, girls trafficking, domestic violence etc. because this is
the easiest, simplest and cheapest method. By getting any topic of theme street drama can be
conducted using available resources.
Steps of Street Drama
1. Selection of content or topic.
2. Preparation for the street play.
3. Rehearsal
4. Arrangement of materials.
5. Presentation and discussion.
6. Evaluation.