Becoming a fly on the wall

Aims of the tool

To help teenagers understand and experience the difference between objective observations and subjective judgments, and express their thoughts and emotions through performance.

Description of the tool

“Becoming a fly on the wall” is an interactive activity designed to introduce teenagers to the first step of Nonviolent Communication (NVC): making clear observations. Through energisers, group role-plays of real-life conflict situations, and guided reflection, participants practice distinguishing what they see, hear, and notice (objective facts) from the judgments they may attach to them.

They act out short conflict scenarios (e.g. with parents, teachers, friends), then act as “cameras” to record only what can be objectively perceived. Students rewrite their notes to separate judgments from observations, and discuss how this affects understanding and communication.

By the end, participants become more aware of their interpretive biases and gain skills in objective observation, which can reduce misunderstandings and improve communication.