I can't think of demonstration for a criticism lesson

Question

Ok i am training to be a youth leader with my church and a week from wednesday i give my first lesson to the youth and it is going to be on criticism and i just can't think of a demonstration to use for criticism i mean i had one but i dont know if its good i mean here it is

I give each person a Index card

They write down anything bad that has been said about them

i give each person a baloon and a piece of tape

they tape the index card to the balloon

take each person in a back room where the rest of the youth can't hear

and pray with them and while we're praying take a pocket knife and pop the balloon

thats it idk if its a good one though

if you have any better ones please let me know

any help would be greatly appreciated

-Stacey S.

Answer 1

J.S has a great idea.  Take it a step further though and give each person a piece of notebook paper and have them write their name on the top.  Then in a rotation, have each person visit each sheet of paper (except the one with their name on it) and write a positive comment on that paper about the person whose name is on the top. (we rotated from desk to desk, but this can be done on a table or even on the floor) Next let them collect their papers and keep them.  

We did this in sociology in hs and I still have mine-i'm now 41.  Very rewarding experience.

Answer 2

There is also one which shows the lasting impact of negative criticism.  

Have a big paper heart and students tell you hurtful things that have been said to them.  For each one, you crumple up the heart, until it is in a tight ball.  Then you have them tell you positive things that have been said to them and open up the heart and smooth it out.  However, nothing can quite make the wrinkles go away.  The heart is affected forever.

In this one the criticism experienced is stated in public, but it may give them a chance to see that they have had similar experiences and identify and sympathize with each other.