Table Talk

Here is a website that gives hundreds of improve warm up ideas. However one that you can just do at the dinner table instead of asking how was your day. Which typically leads to one word responses, or the need for follow up questions. Painstakingly drawing from your child or spouse irrelevant details that end up being the equivalent to my day was same old same old. You can play a game. Everyone at the table is responsible for contributing one word to a sentence. Start out with regular sentences.

Mom says, " He"

Sister says, "took"

Dad says, "the"

You say, "snail."

Play again and everyone can say two words, and make longer sentences. Put parameters on the sentences. Make them all have to do with school, apples, movies, or their least / most favorite teacher. If the kids aren't saying silly words parents make sure to take the sentences in creative directions.

If someone says a very strange or alarming word pause before the next round to ask why they picked that word. Where did the inspiration come from. Sometimes you can unveil more about the persons day from the subconscious than you would just by asking directly.

This little game can kind of train a person to say unusual things in the midst of common place conversations. As little as 3 people and as many as 10 people can play. (Henery's four extra people won't mess it up, but maybe two tables of 7 would be better. lol ;) My suggestion is not to play this every night, but maybe once a week.

If anyone tries this please leave a comment about how it went. A friendly caution though milk has been witnessed flying from nostrils during the course of this game, so keep an extra napkin or set of paper towels close by. :)