Mitzy Perez

LEI 4724
Activity: Screamer
Source: Free Trainer Activities: Screamer. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.firststepstraining.com/resources/activities/archive/activity_screamer.htm
Equipment Needed: open room/outside
Activity Description:
1. Before performing this activity, the facilitator should warn other staff and supervisors that they
will be hearing screams from the room the group is in and that they should not be alarmed.
2. Have the group form circle
3. Explain that you will be saying two statements, heads up and heads down. When you say
heads down everyone has to look down. When you say heads up everyone has to look up
and straight into the eyes of someone else.
4. If they are looking at someone who is looking at someone else, nothing happens. If they are
looking directly at a person who is looking back at them, they both have to scream or yell in an
exaggerated manner. Those two people then are out and their places outside the circle as
observers.
5. Once the screamers have left, make the other participants tighten the circle and continue
making the statements until the game ends.
Leadership Considerations:
1. As stated before, make others around you aware that there will be people screaming.
2. Modification: This activity can be modified for people with hearing impairments. There a
varying ranges of hearing, some participants may be using hearing aids. Instead of having the
participants scream or yell, have them make an exaggerated face, wave their hands in the air, or
start dancing. Make the action as exaggerated as possible.
3. Modification: For participants with PTSD, instead of having the participants scream or make
loud noises, have the participants drop to the ground or duck. This activity will help the
participant be more aware of how they feel when stressed, as well as be aware of triggers.
4. Discussion: What made this fun? What stress factors did you encounter? Did you feel that
your scream would be silly? Did you feel that you would embarrass yourself? When did the
stress intensify? Lessen? When someone wasnt looking at you, how did that make you feel?