09 Jan
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Icebreakers – Synergy Picture

Group Size: 1 to 50+ Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes Goal: To illustrate the concept of synergy, that through working together we can achieve greater things when working alone Audience: Couples, Parents, Teens, Children, Singles Special Considerations: Participants who feel uncomfortable drawing can pass on this activity; not everyone needs to be involved. Resources […]

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09 Jan
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Helping Couples Heal from Upsets

When you think about helping couples heal from upsets or conflicts, you may initially think of therapy as a solution. While therapy certainly has a place for some couples, especially for those dealing with deep wounds to their relationship trust and safety, marriage/relationship education (MRE) also offers opportunities for couples to heal and grow.

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09 Jan
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Helping Couples Address Financial Issues

According to researchers, money is one of the top five sources of conflict for couples. The others are time, sex, child rearing and in-laws. The charge of Marriage/Relationship Education (MRE) practitioners is to teach couples how to manage conflict of any nature. With the right skills, no matter what the conflict is, the couple should […]

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09 Jan
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Introducing Social Media as a Tool for MRE Practitioner

In the past, if someone wanted to learn more about an organization and its services, they could visit its website, go to the physical space, or ask a past participant about their experiences. Now potential attendees for marriage/relationship education (MRE) programs can do all that and more through social media – they can search for […]

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09 Jan
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In the Military: Relationships and Marriage Collection by Topic

Thousands of men and women of the U.S. military and Reserve protect the freedoms of American citizens at home and abroad. About 55 percent, or over 754,000 active duty military personnel, are married. This represents a sizable population that merits attention from the marriage and relationship education field. Some of the strengths often associated with […]

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09 Jan
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Experiential Learning – Communication Train

Group Size: 1 to 50 (8 to 15 participants per train) Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes Goal: To give participants an opportunity to experience different perceptions in communication Audience: Children, Teens, Couples, Parents, Singles Special Considerations: This activity can also be done with more than one row of people and made into a competition […]

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09 Jan
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Group Cohesion – Random Object Stories

Group Size: 10 to 30 Time Needed: 15 minutes or more depending on how long the story takes Goal: To create group cohesion and use creativity to solve problems Audience: Parents, Couples, Teens, Children, Singles Special Considerations: Give participants a good example of being silly and creative, especially with the second sentence. It is also […]

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09 Jan
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Experiential Learning – Feeling Charades

Group Size: 1 to 25 Time Needed: 15 minutes plus time for discussion Goal: To help participants learn to recognize and talk about feelings Audience: Parents, Couples, Children, Teens, Singles Special Considerations: Some adults may find this challenging. Facilitators should act out a feeling or two to make sure participants understand the directions and most […]

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09 Jan
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Group Cohesion – Rising Together

Group Size: 10 to 30+ Time Needed: to 20 minutes depending on group size and length of discussion Goal: To facilitate group bonding, discuss the importance of groups and support systems, and talk about the meaning of healthy interdependence Audience: Couples, Teens, Children, Singles Special Considerations: Requires mobility and sitting on the ground, so this […]

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09 Jan
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Experiential Learning – Group Shaping

Group Size: 10 people or smaller (larger groups can be broken down, or some may participate and some may observe) Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes Goal: Leads to discussion on communication, problem solving and power Audience: Couples, Parents, Teens, Children, Singles Special Considerations: Requires high level of trust among participants. Because some participants will […]

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