How to Teach Group Cohesiveness With Teens

Play an ice breaker game that can help unfamiliar teens get to know each other better. One simple game is a shoe game. Ask that all the teens remove their shoes and place them together in the center of the room. The first volunteer chooses a pair of shoes and starts describing the person who wears them -- what she likes, dislikes and does for fun. The teen then guesses who the shoe might belong to. Not only does the game help the teens get to know their group better but also teaches lessons about making snap judgments based on looks alone.

Role play to help group members understand each other's points of view. If group members seem to have a hard time understanding each other, ask that they switch roles and see how it feels to be the other person. This technique can help change perspectives and solidify a group bond based upon understanding and tolerance for each other.

Assign specific roles to each member of the group, suggests Debra Barrett of the Michigan State University Extension. Each role should be necessary to the group's success, so no individual member takes over all the responsibility and no individual is allowed to avoid responsibility completely. In a study group, for instance, one teen could be in charge of making flash cards, while another teen is in charge of prepping chapter outlines. This way, teens understand the importance of each group member to the overall success of the group.

Offer each teen a chance to lead to group in some way. Being a leader can be intimidating for teens, but understanding the difficulty, preparation and importance of leading can help teens understand the importance of respecting a group leader. Whether it's running a team meeting before practice or organizing a group event, each teen should have the opportunity to lead -- and learn to respect leadership -- in some way.

Organize events that allow group members to get to know each other outside of a formal setting. Going out to eat as a team or attending a school event can help group members get to know each other personally. This outing creates bonds, memories and experiences outside of what may seem like a forced group setting, further solidifying the group and creating a sense of cohesion for future events, meetings or games.