CARE CORNER STUDENT CARE PROJECT

            I learnt that as facilitators, we must be flexible as we may enter a group when they are at different stages of Tuckman’s five stages of group development, which includes forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Groups may not follow the order and move back and forth the different stages instead (Teater, 2014). The first stage is forming, whereby members are just starting to become acquainted and trust is just starting to build. Storming comes next, when conflicts start to arise. Members become unhappy with each other and might also challenge facilitators. After resolving the conflicts, the group moves to the norming stage where the group dynamics become comfortable and progressive, and harmony is achieved. Group identity and roles are established, although some might be dysfunctional and will need to be managed by the facilitator. The group has reached the performing stage when they become clear of their goals and starts working towards them. Finally, when the group ends, hopefully with goals achieved, the group arrives at the adjourning stage.

 

            I learnt this throughout all three sessions of the programme and the celebration. During the first session, all the children were already friends, so after just a short introduction, the group started at the norming stage where everyone was comfortable and friendly. Everyone also came to consensus about the group rules. On the second session, the group progressed to the performing stage. Everybody was clear about the goals of the obstacle course and worked together to complete each level, encouraging and helping each other avoid the distractions by saying, “Ignore them, they are trying to distract you.”. However, at this point, there were already some incidents leading the group towards the storming stage. One facilitator kept raising her voice when enforcing discipline, and the children made comments like ‘so loud!’ and ‘why do you keep shouting?’. However, no one took action to mediate this rising unhappiness. Thinking back, we should have done something about it, perhaps ask that facilitator to approach discipline in a less harsh manner and not violate the agreed rule of ‘no shouting’. During the third session, one boy secretly told me he disliked that facilitator because she kept shouting. I regret not taking action as that boy did not turn up for the celebration, and this unhappiness was never really resolved. Apart from this, the third session was chaotic. The storming stage was evident in the disagreement of what activity to engage in after the main activity, but this was resolved by allowing both activities to occur concurrently. Some facilitators also had felt annoyance and frustration while going about the session as the children were less cooperative. However, the programme was closed nicely in the adjourning stage during the celebration, with everybody enjoying time together, a summary closing statement us, and parting gifts.

 

            This learning is important as there will be more opportunities for me to work in groups, and I gained greater insight about how I should mitigate conflicts early on during the storming stage and how I can help my group at the other stages, like breaking the ice during the forming stage and providing encouragement during the performing stage. This learning is also important to me in my CCA committee as we have been at the storming stage for some time, with members being unhappy with each other and visibly showing their unhappiness but unwilling to talk it out because they doubt their conflict can be resolved. I personally also have some unhappiness towards some members but have yet to resolve it. Thinking back about how that boy left the programme with unhappiness towards that particular facilitator, I do not want our committee to disband and part as enemies.

 

             In light of this learning, in the future, I will not hesitate to step in to mitigate conflicts early on. I will try my best to explain the different perspectives to each party and facilitate communication. I will start with my own CCA exco committee by finally putting into action a meeting to talk about all the hidden unhappiness and resolve the conflicts. I will try to be objective and facilitate resolution, and hopefully my committee can eventually part ways as good friends.

 

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